An urgent call for help by sheriff deputies has raised questions about local law enforcement policies after a city police officer was told by his chief to stand down but he responded anyway.
The sheriff’s department was called out to Greensburg Road about five miles from Columbia for a domestic dispute around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Deputy Josh Durbin was the first to arrive. Durbin said he was speaking with a couple when they began arguing about a cellular phone.
Durbin said the male became combative, prompting Durbin to deploy his taser. The taser had no effect on the subject. Durbin requested backup twice, once urgently asking for units to “step it up.” He also told dispatch that pepper spray had been used but was ineffective.
The male subject ran from Durbin and provided a wall of protection for himself by getting behind dogs that Durbin was already familiar with as being vicious. Family members were trying to get the dogs contained as Deputy Emily Wall arrived on the scene, according to Durbin and Wall. A foot pursuit immediately followed.
Columbia Police Officer Elliot Smith had already asked dispatch for the address but was told by Chief Evan Burton to cancel his response. As the situation unfolded, Smith said he was enroute. Chief Burton then told Smith over the radio that he was on Greensburg Road and instructed Smith to stay in the city.
At one point, Deputy Emily Wall sounded winded and exasperated when she told dispatch, "Columbia we need more units."
According to Durbin and Wall, Smith was the third officer to arrive on the scene. By that time, deputies had chased the suspect down a bluff and into a pasture field. The two deputies had the suspect in handcuffs but were out of breath from the foot pursuit. Smith assisted them in getting the suspect to the patrol vehicle for transport.
Sheriff Gary Roy and Burton both arrived on the scene, along with two Kentucky State Police troopers.
In a statement released today, Burton said, "I made the decision to respond to an incident outside the City of Columbia to provide assistance should additional law enforcement resources become necessary. While enroute, I observed a Columbia Police Officer responding to the same incident with emergency lights and sirens. As the responding supervisor, I instructed the officer to cancel his response and return to service within the City of Columbia."
Burton also stated that the scene was secure upon his arrival and the incident was under control.
Burton said the Columbia Police Department has policies and procedures governing responses outside the city limits. Officers are required to obtain approval from a supervisor before responding outside the city limits except in emergency circumstances or when specifically authorized.
Burton's statement said the department has always assisted neighboring agencies when requested and will continue to do so if circumstances permit.
Sheriff Roy said he has changed his policy on how incidents are handled when a situation requires multiple deputies. As of Wednesday, dispatch was notified to contact the deputies who live closest to the call and have them respond. Roy said he also will be available to assist. He said the policy change was necessary to assure the safety of his deputies at all times.
"I have always told the deputies that if someone asks for help, whether it's county, city, state or whoever, they go," said Roy. "They don't hesitate. They don't have to wait for anyone's approval. They go to help the person…They know they have the free will to go help somebody if they need help."
The Community Voice contacted Officer Smith, but he provided no comment at this time.
The Voice will continue to follow the situation, and additional information will be published in Thursday's edition.
