BELLINGHAM — Western Washington University fired one of its police officers, and a second officer is on leave in connection with the January arrest of a car prowl suspect who was struck in the face while handcuffed.
WWU Police Chief Katy Potts described the disciplinary action in a statement Thursday at the university’s website. The fired officer is also facing a criminal charge, she said.
“As law-enforcement officers, we are entrusted with the immense responsibility of upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our community,” Potts said in the statement. “We must always remember that with this responsibility comes the obligation that we treat every individual with dignity, respect and restraint.”
Former officer Robert Anderson was fired Thursday, and a second officer is on leave pending further review, which is being conducted by the Bellingham Police Department, she said.
The second officer was not named.
Potts didn’t name the suspect or provide information about the suspect’s injuries and whether charges were filed against the suspect.
Anderson is facing a fourth-degree assault charge in a Whatcom County, Potts said. Under Washington state law, fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor, publishable by up to a year in jail.
Potts said that Anderson’s firing stems from the Jan. 20 arrest of a person suspected of breaking into a car owned by one of the two arresting officers.
“The individual was caught breaking into a private vehicle owned by one of the responding officers. The individual was subsequently handcuffed, and while being searched and moved into the police car, he was struck in the face by the arresting officer. This action was confirmed by body camera and audio recordings,” Potts said.
Potts said the officer’s use of force triggered a mandatory review that was conducted by first Bellingham Police and then Mount Vernon Police.
It was Mount Vernon Police who referred the case for prosecution, she said.
“(WWU police) has accountability and reporting measures in place to ensure that all incidents are properly documented; that reviews and investigations are conducted fairly and promptly; and in cases that confirm misconduct, that the respective officers are held responsible,” Potts said.
