Officer Cavanaugh Case Study
• On 11/13/16 at approximately 1940 Hours Officer Cavanaugh responded to a fight call in the area of 1800 S. Hamilton reference a group of males fighting. Upon arrival the Officer Cavanaugh observed a male in the middle of the street who said he had been jumped by other males. The subject admitted to having a concealed sword on his person. The suspect became uncooperative, rolled onto his back and began to kick at the officer.
The suspect's foot grazed Officer Cavanaugh’s head. The suspect then stood up and threw three to four punches in the direction of the officer's face. One of Suspect Holguins’ punches grazed the officer's head, leaving a visible injury. In self defense, the officer then took the suspect to the ground and the suspect hit his face on the concrete. The …show more content…
• Officer Cavanaugh contacted Suspect Holguin prior to the arrival of his back. • Based on Lexipol Policy 300 – Use of Force; Officer Cavanaugh used reasonable force for the circumstances. The fact that the suspect’s admission of being armed and his battering of Officer Cavanaugh, led Officer Cavanaugh to believe Suspect Holguin may be attempting to retrieve the knife he admitted to possessing. Officer Cavanaugh taking the Suspect Holguin to the ground is within department policy.
• Invalid existing policies – None
• Learning points noted- Officer Cavanaugh should have waited for his back prior to contacting Suspect Holguin. Officer Cavanaugh should have conducted a better search of Suspect Holguin prior placing him the back seat of a patrol unit. The phone that Suspect Holguin used to call 911 from the back of the patrol unit would have been discovered during a thorough search.
2. ACTION TAKEN
• None
3. ACTION
The suspect's foot grazed Officer Cavanaugh’s head. The suspect then stood up and threw three to four punches in the direction of the officer's face. One of Suspect Holguins’ punches grazed the officer's head, leaving a visible injury. In self defense, the officer then took the suspect to the ground and the suspect hit his face on the concrete. The …show more content…
• Officer Cavanaugh contacted Suspect Holguin prior to the arrival of his back. • Based on Lexipol Policy 300 – Use of Force; Officer Cavanaugh used reasonable force for the circumstances. The fact that the suspect’s admission of being armed and his battering of Officer Cavanaugh, led Officer Cavanaugh to believe Suspect Holguin may be attempting to retrieve the knife he admitted to possessing. Officer Cavanaugh taking the Suspect Holguin to the ground is within department policy.
• Invalid existing policies – None
• Learning points noted- Officer Cavanaugh should have waited for his back prior to contacting Suspect Holguin. Officer Cavanaugh should have conducted a better search of Suspect Holguin prior placing him the back seat of a patrol unit. The phone that Suspect Holguin used to call 911 from the back of the patrol unit would have been discovered during a thorough search.
2. ACTION TAKEN
• None
3. ACTION