The video footage shows a York Police Department officer using a K-9 to subdue Brennan during a traffic stop more than two years ago.
The release of the footage comes about a week after Brennan's attorneys announced their client had reached a $325,000 settlement with the town and Patrolman Jonathan Rogers, who had released the dog during the encounter.
In a joint statement released with the footage, York Town Manager Steve Burns and acting Police Chief Owen Davis said that Rogers did his job to keep York a safe place.
Brennan ran Yorkids Pediatrics at the time of the incident. Brennan's attorneys said he required months of follow-up and wound care after he was bitten by a dog.
What is in the dash- cam?
The 21-minute video was released in response to a public records request. Burns said there was no body-worn camera used.
Brennan was pulled over by Rogers for flashing his high beams. Brennan stepped out of his vehicle before the cruiser stopped.
Brennan was shouted at by Rogers to put his hands up. Rogers yelled three times for Brennan to stop, but he continued walking.
Brennan stopped for a moment with his hands up, then he dropped them and turned around. Rogers told Brennan to stop moving. Rogers pointed his gun at Brennan.
Brennan turned toward Rogers, who warned that he would sic the K-9 on him if he did not comply.
The dashboard camera footage was released by the Town of York and shows the York Police Department Patrolman using a K-9 to subdue a doctor during a traffic stop. The footage was released in response to a public records request. Brennan was on his knees when the K-9 made contact with him.
Brennan dropped to his knees after Rogers told him six times to get on the ground. Brennan was told to get on the ground by Rogers as the K-9 ran towards him.
When Rogers' patrol car came to a stop on scene and when his K-9 can be seen in the video running at Brennan, no more than 40 seconds elapsed.
The York pays a doctor $325K after a police dog attacks him during a traffic stop.
Brennan was on the ground with the police dog on top of him, and Rogers told him to put his hands behind his back. Brennan rolled onto his stomach as the dog continued to bite at his leg. Rogers told Brennan to stop resisting.
The K-9 continued to subdue Rogers while he was on the ground. Brennan remained on the ground with his hands behind his back as Rogers pulled the dog off of him.
The K-9's engagement was brief.
A dash-camera video shows a police officer and a K-9 subduing a doctor.
Several officers and an ambulance arrived to help Rogers and Brennan. Rogers told Brennan that he was under arrest.
Rogers told the other officers about Brennan's injuries.
He looks like I beat him. Rogers said that he really didn't. I just let the dog go.
Rogers was told by emergency medical technicians that Brennan couldn't see out of one of his eyes. Rogers told the EMT that he hit Brennan with his hand because the eye was bleeding.
Attorneys for Dr. Stephen Brennan have provided an image of injuries to Brennan's left eye and head that they say he sustained after he was pulled over by the York Police Department in 2019.
Rogers told the responders that Brennan's leg had been chewed and was bloody.
Brennan had an interaction with police, the K-9 and EMTs, and was taken to the hospital.
Next time, there is an opportunity to do better.
York police said the response was justified because Brennan had been aggressive.
Alexander Spadinger said that the settlement made clear that the initial attempts by York police to paint Brennan as the aggressor were not true. Brennan was about to surrender when the K-9 was released. Spadinger said the decision to release a police dog was not necessary.
Brennan had puncture wounds to both legs and his left arm, as well as a chest wall injury and trauma to his left eye, as a result of the dog bites that required months of follow-up and wound care treatment.
Dr. Brennan is hopeful that the York Police Department will take steps to ensure that next time one of its officers is faced with a situation like this, they turn first to their de-escalation training before resorting to physical force.
Burns said the settlement was decided by the town's insurer and did not reflect wrongdoing by York police.
The settlement is because we have insurance so that the insurance company can't dictate to us what to do with financial risk. They pay the settlement. Burns said that the town doesn't pay that. If the insurance premiums go up, it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything.
Didn't have to be this way.
Rogers is still employed by York police. Burns refused to say if the town believed the settlement was fair.
The York police command staff did not take any action after the incident between Rogers and Brennan.
Burns said that Rogers was told not to use such language.
The YPD use of force and dog policies have not been changed in the wake of this incident.
Town denies wrongdoing.
The York police conducted a thorough investigation that found Rogers' actions followed all department operating procedures and used the appropriate amount of force necessary to gain control of the situation while ensuring the safety of both parties.
Rogers used non-lethal force to take Brennan into custody after he refused to comply with many verbal commands.
Three witnesses came forward and gave statements in support of Rogers.
Burns said that police have a difficult job.
I am often told that people wouldn't want me to work for them. Burns said that his job is easy by comparison. Police officers provide all manner of public service to our residents. They are prepared to act at any time to keep our community safe.
Burns said that police work is not pleasant and that they are often called upon to make life-changing decisions.
The quality of life we enjoy in our community is protected by their work.
Kasia S Park, the attorney who represented the town and Rogers, denied any wrongdoing on the part of Rogers and the York Police Department.
There was no finding that the initial report made by Sgt. Brian Curtin was false. The federal court did not make any findings. There was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Officer Rogers. The case was settled after the parties decided to mediation. There was no admission of wrongdoing.
Park said that this was not a routine traffic stop. Dr. Brennan jumped out of the car before Officer Rogers stopped his cruiser and started heading towards him. Officer Rogers didn't know who the driver was, why he jumped out of the car, or if anyone else was in the car. Three civilian witnesses came forward and said that Dr. Brennan was the one who started the fight.
Video shows York ME police K-9 subduing a doctor.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
