CLEARED: Green Bay police officer's use of force ruled "justifiable" after arrest caught on camera
GREEN BAY (WITI) -- A Green Bay police officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a controversial arrest that was caught on camera. This, according to Green Bay Police Chief Tom Molitor.
Officer Derek Wicklund's use of force was “justifiable,” Molitor said Tuesday, July 15th.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice reviewed the incident and said the techniques used were appropriate, said Green Bay Police Lt. Chad Ramos.
When asked if the public will be satisfied with the results, Green Bay Police Captain Jim Runge said that if people review the report and the presentation, he believes most people will be satisfied.
Wicklund’s arrest of Joshua Wenzel on Washington Street was captured on video. It shows Wicklund wrestling Wenzel to the ground.
After the chief’s initial statement during a news conference Tuesday, Lt. Ramos discussed the Green Bay Police Department’s investigation and use of force policy.
The department has four different videos of the incident, Ramos said. One was circulated on the internet. Another was from Stir Ups Bar, which is a view from above. A third came from a squad car. The fourth video came from the Nines Bar. All were showed at the news conference on Tuesday.
Lt. Ramos then discussed the training for officers. The preferred method is to gain subject compliance voluntarily and verbally. However, manuals include the direction that physical force may be required, he said.
Lt. Ramos then explained how actions are reviewed. They are reviewed from the perspective of the officer at the time of the incident. There are several standards used to determine whether use of force was reasonable.
Lt. Ramos then moved to a breakdown of the videos – explaining what they looked for during the review and their evaluation of specific sequences.
Officer Wicklund was concerned with Wenzel’s proximity to another officer’s gun and Wenzel’s interjection into the incident, Ramos said. Wenzel’s actions and words “clearly” meet the definition of disorderly conduct. Then, Wicklund orders Wenzel to put his hands behind his back.
Lt. Ramos said that Wicklund moved Wenzel to the street and away from the sidewalk in an effort to control him – and get away from the crowd - as he was being barraged by a litany of expletives. In his report, Wicklund states he believed that Wenzel wanted to fight, Ramos said.
With regards to the blows Wicklund gives Wenzel, Lt. Ramos described them as tactics used to gain compliance from Wenzel, who was continuing to resist and grab at Wicklund.
Lt. Ramos compared the review to the review in an NFL game. Being able to review the various angles, at various speeds, allows the department to properly evaluate the incident.
Wenzel declined to be interviewed as part of the police investigation.
WARNING: The video below contains strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
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