CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin is expected to announce her decision today on if there will be further response by the city in connection with an October arrest on the city’s West Side that involved a use of force by two police officers.
Goodwin was asked by a group of clergy to consider an additional investigation into the arrest. An internal probe cleared the officers of any wrongdoing. Police Chief Opie Smith said the officers’ actions were within policy. There were several punches thrown to subdue the suspect.
Goodwin could agree to seeking an additional investigation or she could propose changing the current police department policy.
West Virginia Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Walker said his organization has been asked by a couple members of city council to explain the current policy at a Thursday afternoon news conference which could come before Goodwin’s announcement.
“A couple of Charleston City Council members are a little dismayed of the actions the mayor has taken,” Walker said on 580 Live on WCHS Radio Thursday. “We’re going to talk and explain how a policy is written and we’re also going to talk about that event from a month ago, break it down (the arrest video) second-by-second and try to explain to the public what’s going on.”
Councilman Brady Campbell said the news conference would take place Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on the steps of city hall in downtown Charleston.