District Attorney Charles Branson has charged former Lawrence, Kansas Police Officer Frank McClelland, 38, with misdemeanor battery in Douglas County District Court. Lawrence police officer reports to a supervisor that officer McClelland potentially violated the department’s force policy. The Lawrence Police Department also contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and requested that it conduct an independent investigation to determine if any criminal activity had occurred.
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Branson said that McClelland was dispatched to help other officers on a call in the 1900 block of East 19th Street.
McCleland left the Lawrence Police Department in August.
About a week later the Office of Professional Accountability completed their investigation. Officer McClelland is placed on administrative leave.
The independent investigation’s results were delivered to the district attorney’s office on September 9 and McClelland was subsequently issued a summons to appear in court in October for the charge filed against him.
“The internal investigation did in fact find that the officer did use excessive physical force on an individual and the officer resigned his position with the department”, he said.
August 30: Officer McClelland’s resignation is effective.
“Every day our officers routinely encounter and strive unprecedented calls they have to deal with and we try to do the best and right thing every single time”.
Khatib said during a press conference Friday that he is “disappointed, very angry and embarrassed” about McClelland’s actions. The first officer to arrive at the scene tried to intervene, but was unable to separate the men, identified as Dalvin Walker and Keith Hill.
The firefighter said he suffered injuries to his face, head and hand.
The OPA’s investigation also found misconduct, Khatib said.
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McClelland is scheduled to appear in court on October 27 at 3 p.m.
