Internal investigation opened from an interaction between Toledo officers and teenagers
By: -----
Toledo, OH - Toledo Police released footage Friday showing a controversial interaction between officers and teenagers that sparked an internal investigation into the officers’ conduct.
Video from the teens was shared widely on social media after an officer told teens they were stopped for “giving criminal indications.” Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said the video made him sick to his stomach.
The officers also cursed multiple times during the interaction, including when one told the teens it’s “not my fault you live in this f****** neighborhood.” One officer called one of the teens annoying and stupid.
The interaction ended as an officer went to leave the scene and told the teens to “enjoy poverty.”
The department faced public backlash for the officers’ conduct.
The officers involved in the incident said the teens were walking in the street without using the crosswalk on Sylvan Ave on May 20.
An internal investigation is ongoing and a statement from a Toledo Police spokesperson said the video was released to be transparent with the community.
Part of the interaction shown in the teen’s video where the officer said to “enjoy poverty” is not included in the body camera footage. A TPD spokesperson said the officer had turned off his camera at that point.
The statement released Friday identified the involved officers as Officer Zachary Cairl, who has been with the department for nearly ten years, and Officer Chase Baney, who has been with the department for nearly five years. Both are members of the SWAT team.
It’s unclear at this point whether the involved officers will face any disciplinary action.