Editor’s note: This story includes a video clip showing a use-of-force incident that might be disturbing to watch.
San Angelo police Chief Travis Griffith said an officer was suspended Monday after an internal affairs investigation concluded he used excessive force against an 18-year-old woman.
During a press conference, Griffith fielded questions about training after releasing a video clip showing a woman kicking an officer who then knocked her out while she was restrained.
“I’ll be honest with you,” the chief said Monday. “I shouldn’t have to train officers not to punch an 18-year-old girl in the face and knock her out while she’s handcuffed, RIPP-hobbled and tangled up in a seatbelt.”
He added that the Texas Rangers’ review of the case did not find a basis for criminal charges against officer Jason Gann.
For several months, the San Angelo Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards carried out an internal investigation of a use-of-force incident, Griffith said.
The internal investigation found Gann used excessive force against the woman in late June after arresting her during a domestic violence investigation, Griffith said. The woman, who weighed 100 pounds, was intoxicated and uncooperative. She was appropriately handcuffed and seat-belted with her legs restrained in a RIPP Hobble in a patrol vehicle.
A Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways Hobble is designed to prevent aggressive kicking.
Before leaving the scene, officers tried to readjust the woman’s leg restraints, and she kicked Gann in the right hip, the chief said.
Then Gann grabbed her legs, leaned into the vehicle and punched her in the head, knocking her unconscious for a short time, Griffith said. Possibly suffering from a concussion, she was taken to a local hospital, treated and cleared.
During routine oversight within hours, department staff found the incident concerning, Griffith said. Gann was placed on alternative duty status, restricting him to administrative work.
Griffith said the woman’s face was blurred in the video at his request out of respect for her.
He added that the department did not have an external complaint filed in connection with the incident although she was offered an opportunity to do so.
The chief said since taking office 15 months ago, he has had several cases where officers got into trouble.
“Most of these cases have nothing to do with training and just with taking responsiblity for their actions and knowing better,” Griffith said.
He added that the department has provided more training during his time at the helm than for a vast amount of time in the past.
In May, the city honored Gann for five years of service, according to a Facebook post on the city’s page.
Griffith said Gann’s indefinite suspension means he is basically no longer employed with the department, but he will be given due process and can appeal.
The chief said Gann’s peace officer certification was not affected, and he will be able to seek employment elsewhere.
“I will tell you that this doesn’t make officer Gann some terrible person,” Griffith said.
Gann responded to the situation as a human being would, but the situation as a whole called for his indefinite suspension, Griffith said.
“Considering the multiple levels of restraint already applied, the size disparity between the officer and the subject, the degree of force that was used, officer Gann’s lack of accountability and response to retraining, officer Gann was indefinitely suspended from the San Angelo Police Department,” Griffith said.
The chief said he is praying for the suspended officer, and he is glad the 18-year-old woman did not suffer more severe injuries.
“It’s much easier to put this stuff aside and deal with it privately. It’s much easier to maybe not give somebody accountability,” Griffith said. “But if we’re going to be accountable, then you have to walk out and do this stuff.”
Trish Choate is the executive editor for the Wichita Falls Times Record News, San Angelo Standard-Times and Abilene Reporter-News. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Chief says use of force led to suspension of San Angelo police officer
Reporting by Trish Choate, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
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