Norfolk Police Chief Michael Goldsmith made a statement today regarding the arrest of London Colvin on Sunday, January 25. I posted a
diary earlier this week that college student London Colvin was arrested after leaving a party where a fight broke out. Twp officers reportedly held her down and allowed a K-9 dog to attack her while restrained. Chief Goldsmith has already concluded that unreasonable force was used in the arrest.
In a statement Thursday, the chief said:
Since January 25th, my department has been investigating the arrest of London Colvin. While we continue to wrap up the final few interviews with witnesses and officers, I feel I have enough information to determine the use of force in Ms. Colvin’s arrest was unreasonable.
I will address my officers’ actions through our disciplinary process.
My review of the policies governing the use of police canines continue. This review will ensure that Norfolk canines are used appropriately in all circumstances. As Chief, I am responsible for the policies and procedures that govern my officers’ actions. While I expect my officers to make the best judgment in all circumstances, if the policy doesn’t support the outcomes I expect, I have failed them. I am committed to having the best trained department and I will make this right.
I will make the revised policy available once I have completed my review.
Sincerely
Chief Michael Goldsmith
What the chief doesn’t explain is the disciplinary process that is in place. Currently, the officer who arrested Colvin is on administrative duty. Unclear is whether this officer is the K-9’s handler, or if he was one of the officers restraining Colvin. In my opinion, any officer complicit in the K-9 attack on Colvin should be fired immediately.
13NewsNow reports an update on Colvin’s condition:
According to family members, the student is out of the hospital and is recovering back home in Northern Virginia. …will eventually have to have plastic surgery for her injuries.
Colvin is not speaking publicly about the incident as she seeks legal council. She’s due in court in Norfolk March 30 on the Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest charges.
Witnesses have also started speaking out about the incident. Fellow student and witness Carman Chatman told WAVY News 10:
“She was laying down on the ground with her arms under her body like this, flat down, her face down to the ground. Her arms under her chest and her body flat down, the police officer was directly on top of her holding her down.”
Chatman said she heard officers yelling and a police K-9 dog barking, but doesn’t know what ultimately led to the dog attack.
“I heard someone yell ‘she got bit by a dog’ or ‘the dog is biting her.’ I looked over to see the dog was latched to her leg,” she said. “Her being bit was really unjustifiable.”
Best wishes to London Colvin as she recovers. The family has s et up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with medical expenses.