Investigation launched into use of force incident involving Dover PD
DOVER, Del. – Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen announced on Thursday that a dual investigation is ongoing into a use of force incident that sent a Dover man to the hospital.
Details surrounding the incident are not being made public at this time, however, we can confirm that the man, identified as Michael Jarrett, has been released from Christiana Hospital.
Mayor Christiansen says an investigation carried out by the Dover Internal Affairs Office and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office has been launched to examine the patterns and practices of officers during the incident. We’re told body camera footage will be made available at a later date.
“This investigation by the Department of Civil Rights and Public Trust was requested by me as mayor and the City of Dover Police Department to ensure transparency and a pristine and impartial review of the procedures and processes used during that encounter with Mr. Jarrett,” Mayor Christiansen said.
Christiansen has also confirmed that the officers involved remain on active duty with the department and have not been placed on leave or suspension, but would not confirm the number of officers being investigated.
Faith-based leaders joined Christiansen during his announcement at town hall Thursday morning, expressing their support for the mayor’s decision to involve the office of the Delaware AG.
“We feel that that the right people are being consulted with and we feel that right people are involved,” said Bishop Marion Lott of Promise Land Ministries adding “There’s nothing being done in any way or mantle that we will be able or that we would think that the mayor wasn’t being fair enough.”
Mayor Christianson says he’s also committed to making the body camera footage from that incident public. But he says just how soon that will happen is up to just how quickly the AG’s office conducts that investigation.
“Body cam video and images cannot be released under certain protocols or completed, through the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity and Civil Rights Office, and it’s covered under Delaware Code, administrative code number one, Delaware, subsection eight and one, Dash 26,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen says he was an advocate and worked hard to help fund the department’s purchase of the body cams, and says he will work to make them available when he gets the green light from the AG’s office.
Christiansen also tells 47ABC that while the final report from the AG’s office and the Dover PD IA will offer recommendations as to actions to be taken against officers, the final call will reside with him.
