Cop under fire for beating, arresting man videotaping police

Liberty Saturday, July 30th, 2011

BY MIKE BLASKY, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A Las Vegas police officer under investigation for the videotaped beating of a man in March violated several Metropolitan Police Department policies, an internal investigation found.

Mitchell Crooks’ complaint about officer Derek Colling’s excessive force was sustained, Deputy Chief Gary Schofield said Friday.

The specific policy violations will not be released until the case is finalized.

Crooks, 36, received a letter from the Internal Affairs Bureau notifying him of the findings earlier this week.

He said he was pleasantly surprised.

“It seems like they’re saying he was guilty, which is what I’ve been saying,” Crooks said. “I really hope he gets fired.”

Colling has been on paid suspension since April 1.

Multiple supervisors in Colling’s chain of command will review the internal affairs report and decide his punishment, if any, Schofield said.

That review could take several weeks.

If Colling’s supervisors recommend his firing, he will go before a pre-termination board for a final appeal. The harshest punishment short of firing is a 40-hour unpaid suspension.

To read more, visit:  http://www.lvrj.com/news/police-inquiry-reveals-violations-in-arrest-beating-of-videographer-126438953.html

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