KANSAS CITY, Mo. --
Two Kansas City police officers were suspended with pay Thursday as an investigation into their actions last year when they stopped a pregnant woman who later miscarried continued.
The suspensions of Officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell are indefinite, police spokesman Capt. Rich Lockhart said.
At a news conference Thursday at police headquarters, Chief James Corwin said the officers' behavior is "inconsistent with the values and policies of this department and inconsistent with the training they received in the police academy." Corwin read from a written statement and declined to answer reporters' questions.
The Feb. 5, 2006, incident in which Spencer and Schnell stopped Sudanese native Sofia Salva for a fake temporary car tag was captured on videotape. Police released the tape Tuesday, days after Salva filed a wrongful death and personal injuries lawsuit against the department and the two officers.
In her suit, Salva, 32, claims the officers ignored her repeated pleas for medical attention. In the video of the stop, Salva tells police she is three months pregnant, bleeding and needs to go to the hospital.
The officers arrested Salva after learning she had outstanding city warrants for endangering children, trespassing, driving while suspended and other traffic violations. The endangering allegation stemmed from a 2002 incident in which Salva was accused of leaving her three children home alone while she went to the store.
Salva says jailers allowed her medical attention the morning after the stop and that she delivered a premature baby boy who died a minute after birth.
Salva's attorney, Andrew Protzman, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Corwin, who returned to Kansas City on Thursday from a law enforcement conference in Washington, D.C., said he felt the matter was serious enough to suspend the officers even though an internal investigation is not complete.
The actions of Spencer and Schnell are not reflective of the Police Department as a whole, the chief said. Typically, internal investigations are not sparked until lawsuits are resolved, he said, but he thought the incident warranted the department starting a probe sooner.
"I ask for patience from the community as we investigate this incident," Corwin said. "I regret that this incident has reflected negatively on the members of this department, the vast majority of whom do their job in an exemplary fashion every day."
Corwin said police could have blocked the release of the videotape, but he said it was in the best interest of the public to release it. Police will also look into Salva's treatment during the entire time she was in custody, Corwin said.
He said he couldn't comment further because of the lawsuit.
According to department policy, "officers will procure transportation for a sick or injured person when requested or appropriate."
Spencer has been with the Police Department four years and Schnell less than two years. No telephone numbers are listed for the two officers. Lockhart said the officers are declining comment for now.
Police Chief James Corwin Issues Statement
"I have been away from the city for the past few days and this is my first opportunity to speak with you about this situation. I will share with you my thoughts but I will not be able to answer any questions because of the pending litigation.
"The behavior of the officers as depicted on the videotape is inconsistent with the values and policies of this department and inconsistent with the training they received in the police academy. This behavior is not reflective of the more than 2,000 men and women of this department who serve this community very well every day.
"Because of the seriousness of what was shown on the tape, I ordered the internal investigation. Historically, we do not begin internal investigations until lawsuits are concluded. Legally, once the internal investigation began, we could have prevented the release of the tape under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Despite these two things, I believed that it was in the interest of the public to release the tape. I did not want to hide the department or the tape behind an investigation. It is a matter of trust that we show the community we are open. This police department is the people’s police department and it is important for them to see everything, even things like this.
"I have had a chance to do an initial review of the information we have gathered on this case and as a result have suspended the officers.
"Our investigation will not only focus on the contact with the two officers who initiated the stop, but also on the entire time Ms. Salva was in police custody.
"I have begun to meet with community leaders to discuss this issue. I ask for patience from the community as we investigate this incident. I can assure everyone that we will be transparent throughout this entire process.
"I regret that this incident has reflected negatively on the members of this department, the vast majority of whom do their job in an exemplary fashion every day."
Watch Video of the Traffic Stop Source
--------------
This is ridiculous, if you watch the video she asked them repeatedly for medical help. She even stated that she was pregnant and was bleeding. What could it possibly hurt to verify that she was ok. As soon as they confirmed that she was alright, then they could have locked her *** up, but at least confirm that she's ok first. We'll see how this blows over.
Linear Mode
