SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Police Department fired an officer this week who reportedly kicked a handcuffed, resistant suspect in the genitals during an arrest last year.
The lawyer representing the terminated officer, Kristofer Henderson, said the Spokane Police Guild has authorized a grievance process with the city of Spokane and Henderson hopes to be reinstated, The Spokesman-Review reported.
The police department’s decision came after the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office declined in September to file an assault charge against Henderson because the victim in the case didn’t wish to cooperate, Q13Fox reported.
Mark Cipolla, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney who handles criminal cases, expressed at the time that Henderson’s use of force appeared “retaliatory,” “intentional,” and not for the protection of himself or others.
As a result, Spokane Police Department resumed an internal investigation at that point.
A panel of police officials reviewed the facts provided by internal investigators and made potential disciplinary recommendations, which police Chief Craig Meidl used to make a final decision.
“That investigation determined Henderson had violated Spokane Police Department policy and his employment was terminated,” the police department said in a news release.
