A police officer who punched a
woman several times in the face during an arrest used “appropriate force,” an
investigation has ruled, but he has been suspended for using vulgar language.
An internal investigation into
the actions of Officer George Gothner in Superior, Wisconsin, during an arrest
on January 5 concluded the force he used against Natasha Lancour “was
reasonable and consistent with the policies of the department and the training
provided by the State of Wisconsin,” WDIO reports.
However, the Wisconsin
Department of Justice concluded that Gothner had not communicated appropriately
and used “vulgar and unprofessional language” when initially speaking to
Lancour, 29.
As a result, Gothner has been
handed a 10-hour unpaid suspension.
Dash cam video footage of the
altercation between Gothner and Lancour shows the pair exchanging words before
Gothner marches Lancour over to his car while she struggles.
After placing her face-down on
the hood, Lancour attempts to wriggle free, at which point Gothner punches her
as witnesses look on.
KDAL reports the investigation
found Gothner’s actions were appropriate “in response to resistance and to
Gothner’s perception that he was being assaulted.”
Last month, the Pioneer Press
reported that the Bayfield County district attorney had decided against
charging Gothner, and just days later a disorderly conduct charge against
Lancour was also dropped, FOX21 notes.
Gothner took five months’ paid
leave following the incident while the internal investigation progressed, and
returned to a desk job in July,according to WPR.
Now that the investigation is
over, he is expected back on full duty next week.
