A Police Sergeant Slapped a Man Outside Headquarters — Then the Glass Doors Opened Behind Him

The deputy chief was subsequently charged in connection with alleged public-contract corruption and efforts to interfere with the oversight process.

The towing contractor's financial executive also faced charges arising from the separate investigation of payments and billing practices.

Both were entitled to the presumption of innocence and the opportunity to challenge the evidence in court.

But the city no longer treated the matter as a minor internal disagreement.

The original attempt to delay one commissioner's arrival had exposed serious weaknesses in a system entrusted with public money and public authority.

The sergeant's disciplinary hearing took place separately.

An independent panel reviewed his conduct under the applicable departmental procedures.

The commissioner did not sit on the panel.

He had been the person struck.

His role was to provide evidence and testimony when required, not to decide the administrative outcome himself.

The panel examined the videos.

The witnesses' statements.

The sergeant's reports.

The status of his body camera.

And the circumstances surrounding the assignment.

The sergeant appeared with his representative.

He looked thinner than he had on the morning of the confrontation.

His hair had grown slightly longer.

His shoulders remained broad, but he no longer carried himself with the confident swagger visible in the recordings.

When asked about the slap, he didn't deny it.

He acknowledged that he'd struck the commissioner.

He also acknowledged that he had no lawful justification for using that force.

The panel examined whether the deputy chief's instructions affected his conduct.

The sergeant explained that he'd believed the visitor was someone attempting to disrupt the headquarters entrance.

But he conceded that the man had presented identification and hadn't physically threatened him.

He was asked why he'd refused to verify the credential.

For several seconds, he remained silent.

Then he answered.

“Because I'd already decided he was lying.”

The room became quiet.

The panel chair asked what evidence supported that conclusion.

The sergeant looked down.

“None that I can point to.”

He swallowed.

“I didn't believe someone in that position would arrive alone.”

The chair nodded.

“And when the person asked you to verify his identification?”

“I became angry.”

“Why?”

The sergeant looked toward the floor.

“Because I thought he was challenging me.”

His voice became rough.

The chair continued.

“Was your use of force necessary to protect anyone?”

“No.”

“Was it necessary to carry out your assignment?”

“No.”

The sergeant closed his eyes.

For a moment, he seemed ready to say more.