Sep 21, 2017
A video has surfaced in the case involving former Milton-Freewater Police Officer Brian Scott, that is raising new concerns by locals and rebuke by others. Scott was accused of official misconduct stemming from an incident that occurred on September 26, 2016. Scott plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of official misconduct and one felony count of second degree assault.
According to court documents, Scott had detained 46-year-old Jeffrey Fields of Milton-Freewater for theft, and transported him to the Milton-Freewater Police Department. In the video, Scott and Officer Anthony Martinez can be seen outside of the Milton-Freewater Police Department. Officer Martinez is seen in the video holding a set of shackles. Scott and Martinez remove Field’s from the police cruiser.
Scott orders Fields to get on his knees. The video freezes, but audio continues. Officials say this is when shackles were put on Fields. He was then led into the police department and down a set of stairs. Fields can be heard in the video telling Scott to “get your fucking hand off me, I’m going down the stairs just fine.” Scott is then seen shoving Fields forward. Records reflect that Scott shoved Fields into the edge of a wall, which investigators say he used as a weapon.
It was this video that investigator’s with the Oregon State Police say was instrumental in bringing the charges against Scott. Scott initially plead not guilty to all charges but later settled in a pre-trial conference. Fields sustained trauma to his head requiring emergency medicine. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries to his vertebrae and head trauma requiring over a dozen staples.
Following this incident, Milton-Freewater Police Chief Doug Boedigheimer requested a special investigation by the Oregon State Police. That investigation lead to charges against Scott. Chief Boedigheimer placed Scott on administrative leave, in accordance with department policy. Scott resigned officially from the department on December 16, 2016 according to City Manager Linda Hall.
Circuit Judge Eva Temple sentenced Scott to three years of probation, banned him from possessing weapons, firearms or dangerous animals while on probation, mandated he not have any contact with Fields, undergo an anger management evaluation and complete any applicable treatment through a court-approved provider, as well as complete 100 hours of community service and pay a fine of $500.
Scott was also ordered to relinquish, within 30-days, his police certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This certification allowed him to work as a police officer. Scott told the court that he planned to move his family to Colorado. Public records show that Scott is now living in Sterling, Colorado. His former address in Milton-Freewater is listed for sale.
The appearance of the video on social media on Thursday sparked a debate with many condemning the behavior, as abuse. Others said Scott was “a good man” and suggested Fields “had it coming to him” because of a rash of run-ins with law enforcement. The behavior, nonetheless, ended Scott’s law enforcement career and two criminal charges to boot.
Field’s is said to be considering his legal options against the City of Milton-Freewater following the incident.
Source: https://www.risemedia.news/2017/09/video-surfaces-milton-freewater-police-misconduct-case/