An Ohio police dog handler was fired last week after directing his K-9 to attack an unarmed truck driver who was on his knees with his hands up.
Instead of punishment, the board members, whose names have not been released to the public, recommended that Speakman and his dog return to Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania for follow-up training at the end of the month.
But the officer wasn’t punished for violating department policy by unleashing his dog.
He was punished for crying, speaking with colleagues and others, providing misleading information and exhibiting stress-related behavior related to the incident
Speakman was ordered to provide the names of everyone he had spoken to about the incident.
“The city has been far too silent,” said Zack Brooks, 24, a lifelong Circleville resident who is running unopposed for city council. “If the chief believes that the canine situation has been handled properly, then why was he not screaming that from the rooftops and be willing to back up his officer, and defend his department and defend his city?”
After The Dispatch and other media reported on the incident, Speakman was fired on July 27.
The silence and seemingly contradictory letter from the police chief have frustrated many in the city.
