What is correct procedure for police (when approaching a suspect) in regards to identifying themselves? This could have been avoided if the kid knew who they were... maybe he wouldn't have run.
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Deputy who tackled innocent man placed on leave
by Marlee Ginter
Originally printed at
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/44843582.html
SEATTLE -- The King County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident involving a deputy that left a man in a coma.
Christopher Harris has been in critical condition ever since he was tackled by a deputy who thought Harris was a suspect in a knife attack. Harris, 29, suffered multiple skull fractures and is currently on life support at Harborview Medical Center.
"The 270-pound young officer hit him, full-force, tackled him and drove his head into the wall," said Todd Keeling, Harris' stepfather.
Sgt. John Urquhart said Dep. Matthew Paul, 26, tackled Harris because he ran when deputies ordered him to stop.
Witnesses said several men, some covered in blood, ran into a convenience store where Harris had been shopping. Deputies chasing down the suspect were mistakenly told by witnesses that Harris was the man they wanted. Harris had not been in the fight, but he ran.
But Harris' family attorney argues anyone else would have reacted in a similar fashion.
"If you see a 275-pound man and another man both in paramilitary outfits, yelling at you from half a block away down a dark alley and they don't identify themselves as policeman but yell at you, 'Hey!' I think that's good cause to run," said attorney Sim Osborn.
Osborn claims the deputies had the real suspects right in front of them, but chased Harris instead.
"He had blood all over him," he said.
The sheriff's office is investigating the incident, but detectives do not believe Paul, a four-year veteran of the force, meant to hurt him.
"This is a huge tragedy certainly for Christopher Harris and his family, but for our deputy as well. This looks to be nothing more than an accident. Certainly the deputy didn't plan on injuring Christopher, as it turned out," said Urquhart.
Urquhart said another deputy, 28-year-old Joseph Eshom, was involved in the foot chase. Eshom, who has been with the department for about two years, transferred from the Phoenix Police Department.
Both Paul and Eshom are assigned to the graveyard shift of Metro Transit Police duty to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on overnight bus routes.
Eshom is scheduled to return to work on Wednesday. Paul, however, will be placed on administrative leave for the duration of the investigation as is protocol.
Sheriff's detectives expect to complete the investigation in a few days, at which time the Seattle Police Department will review the findings as requested by King County Sheriff Sue Rahr.
If the probe finds no criminal conduct on the part of either deputy, detectives said the case would be reviewed by the Internal Investigation Unit and disciplinary action may result.