An Arkansas deputy was relieved of his duties on Thursday after he failed to turn on his body camera during his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a teenager.
Sheriff John Staley said made the announcement in a video press release, noting that Lonoke County Sgt. Michael Davis neglected to adhere to the department’s policy, according to a local NBC affiliate.
“Our policy says the deputy must activate the camera before encountering any member of the public while taking official action and certainly as part of any traffic stop,” Staley said.
Davis had his body camera turned off when he conducted a traffic stop last month that resulted in the shooting death of Hunter Brittain, who was 17 years old at the time, NBC News reported.
“My review of this deputy’s actions has determined that he did not activate his body camera in a timely way. This means there’s no video of the actual shooting. We see the aftermath but not the shooting,” Staley said Thursday.
“Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy,” he added.
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Brittain’s family, reportedly applauded the deputy’s removal.
“[Staley] did the right thing,” Crump said in a statement. “Body cameras are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the only way to see the unbiased facts surrounding a police and civilian encounter resulting in injury and/or death.”
According to Crump, at the time of the traffic stop, Brittain’s vehicle would not properly shift to park. The 17-year-old then reportedly exited the car with a bottle of antifreeze to place behind his wheels to keep the car from moving toward Davis when he was shot.
Staley noted that the incident is under investigation. It is not clear whether Davis has hired an attorney, NBC News reported.
“Did the deputy act legally? That’s up to Arkansas State Police and the prosecuting attorney,” Staley said. “I have nothing to do with it, nor should I. That’s the whole point behind an independent investigation.”