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FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

MISSOURI STATE LODGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONFERENCE REGARDING THIS RELEASE WILL BE HELD AT THE MISSOURI FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, 715 JEFFERSON ST., JEFFERSON CITY, MO ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 10:30 AM (please enter through basement door in rear parking lot)
The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police stands with the Columbia Police Officers Association/FOP Lodge 26 in support of Officer Rob Sanders, whose employment was wrongly terminated by Chief Kenneth Burton. Chief Burton tasked the departments Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) with the investigation into a use of force incident involving Officer Sanders and a prisoner, which occurred on August 15, 2011. The IAB conducted an exhaustive investigation, culminating in a 39 page report. Included in their investigation was a complete review of all pertinent policies and procedures of the police department and the City of Columbia as they related to Officer Sanders actions. Also included were consultations with a Defensive Tactics and Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) instructor and a review of recent and pertinent police use of force published literature. The conclusion and recommendation of the IAB was clear and certain; that all of the allegations as to the misconduct of Officer Sanders use of force are unfounded. According to Columbia Police Department Standard Operating Guidelines, Unfounded is defined as the complaint does not allege misconduct. The incident may or may not have occurred as alleged in the complaint, however, even if the incident did occur, the actions described were lawful and within Standard Operational Guidelines. We question why Chief Burton would completely disregard these findings and recommendations. If Officer Sanders fate was predetermined, a significant amount of taxpayer money was wasted in the thorough and lengthy investigation conducted by the IAB. We believe the Chief acted in an imprudent manner to appease a vocal minority in the community. Basing an opinion on the short snippet of video that was released, does not take into account the totality of the facts and circumstances presented to Officer Sanders prior to his encounter with the subject. The IAB report makes painstakingly clear that

715 JEFFERSON ST. JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101 573-632-4209 1-800-752-5707 FAX 573-632-4211 www.mofop.org

FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE


MISSOURI STATE LODGE knowledge of the conduct of the subject has to be factored into the officers decision making. Officer Sanders has been consistently vilified in the media and it is time for the true facts to be brought forward. Chief Burton has apparently decided to resurrect another incident involving Officer Sanders. That investigation was initiated after Officer Sanders termination. We are confident that investigation will again vindicate him. We question why Chief Burton would investigate an employee who he has already terminated; clearly another waste of taxpayer funds and an apparent effort to circle the wagons. I was made aware of another video (taken by a citizen) that allegedly shows Officer Sanders acting inappropriately. It is important to note that when conducting a vehicle or pedestrian investigative stop, probable cause is not the threshold that needs to be met. Reasonable suspicion is all that is required. There is a distinct difference. Probable cause is necessary only for affecting an arrest. There is no violation of law, policy or procedure in this non-incident. Besides Officer Sanders and his family, the real losers in this situation are the citizens of Columbia. Morale in the Columbia Police Department is at an all-time low. Officers are hesitant to take action for fear of being second guessed at every turn and wrongly disciplined. They do not feel they have the support of their administration. Police work is not always pretty, however we believe the citizens want and deserve a proactive police department that protects them from the criminal element and a police administration that backs their officers when their actions are proven proper.

Contact MO FOP President Kevin Ahlbrand for any inquiries 314-452-3752

715 JEFFERSON ST. JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101 573-632-4209 1-800-752-5707 FAX 573-632-4211 www.mofop.org

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