UPDATE: Acquitted officer to return to department

Dover Police have announced Corporal Thomas Webster, an officer acquitted of felony assault, will return to the department on paid administrative leave starting Sunday.

The Dover police officer was found not guilty by a 12 member in early December after facing trial. Corpora Webster was reportedly seen on camera kicking a suspect, identified as Lateef Dickerson, in the face and breaking his jaw during an August 2013 arrest.

According to Dover Police, the department’s use of force policy requires that any officer involved in the use of deadly force that results in injury or death must undergo a psychological evaluation before returning to full duty.

In a statement sent to 47ABC, Dover Police Chief Paul Bernat reminded community members and elected officials that Delaware state law and Dover Police Department directives require that Corporal Webster be afforded due process, including a hearing before a board of Captains, prior to any adverse employment action, including termination.

“The Dover Police Department has already completed its internal investigation and dealt with this incident independently of the concurrent criminal proceedings,” says Chief Bernat.  “As a law enforcement officer, Corporal Webster is afforded rights under state law, and the Dover Police Department must abide by the law as well as its obligations under Dover Police Department directives.  While the Dover Police Department has treated this incident with the utmost seriousness, Corporal Webster’s right to return to his job after having been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing must be honored.”