Calls for Fairfax Police Chief to resign, complaints and police reform being discussed



by Timothy Barber
Fairfax County, VA (ABC7) — Fairfax County’s Public Safety Committee met Tuesday afternoon to talk about police complaints and a study into the department’s use of force.
Presentation were made by the leaders of the Police Civilian Review Panel and Independent Police Auditor Richard Schott.
Professors from the University of Texas at San Antonio also made a presentation about a study they are doing on the agency’s use of force data. The study is looking for potential reasons or causes for racial disparities.
It is expected to be completed with recommendations in early 2021.
The Police Civilian Review Panel processed 29 complaints last year, with two complaints resulting in changes.
So far, the panel has received 18 complaints this year.
The Independent Police Auditor reviewed 22 cases last year.
Last month, Fairfax County Officer Tyler Timberlake was caught on body camera firing a stun gun multiple times at an unarmed Black man who was having some sort of episode in the middle of a street.
Yesterday, Timberlake was indicted on three counts of assault and battery.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano released the following in a statement:
“Today the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office successfully indicted Tyler Timberlake on three counts of assault and battery. This means that we can now look ahead to a jury trial that will give our community an opportunity to weigh in on this important case. I believe the community’s involvement in deciding this matter is essential and is why we pursued and obtained today’s grand jury indictments.”
Police Chief Ed Roessler released the body camera video after the incident and condemned the officer’s actions— a move that sparked calls for his resignation by the local police union.
Brad Carruthers, President of Fairfax Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 77 said in part; “I would like to convey just how disappointed and disheartened we are with your recent statements and actions. It has become abundantly clear that your political agenda trumps your obligation to being a fair and impartial leader. When you publicly excoriate an officer under your command, characterizing their actions as "disgusting" without even a nascent investigation, you have crossed the line from Chief of Police to that of politician playing dress up.”

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