A former Lawrence police officer could end up behind bars, after an investigation found he used excessive force while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
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Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced a misdemeanor battery charge against Frank McClelland Friday.
McClelland resigned from the department at the end of August.
"I have to say I cannot recall in many years the last time our office had to look at an officer involved in this type of situation,” said Branson.
According to Branson, McClelland was dispatched as backup to a domestic disturbance call on August 16.
McClelland asked one of the men fighting to sit on the ground. When the man refused to comply, Branson said McClelland forced him to the ground using a leg sweep maneuver and proceeded to strike the man with a closed fist up to four times.
Another police officer reported this to a supervisor, which triggered an internal investigation and forced McClelland to resign.
"I’m disappointed, very angry and embarrassed,” said Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib. "We have failed to meet the expectations of our community and I think quiet frankly the expectations we have for ourselves at the Lawrence PD."
Timeline of events
- August 16: Police dispatched to fight in progress call. Lawrence police officer reports to a supervisor that officer McClelland potentially violated the department’s force policy.
- August 17: The Office of Professional Accountability launches an internal investigation. Officer McClelland is placed on administrative leave. Chief Khatib contacts the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an independent investigation to see if anything criminal occurred.
- August 24: The internal investigation is completed and finds officer McClelland used excessive force. McClelland resigns.
- August 30: Officer McClelland’s resignation is effective.
- September 9: The Sheriff’s office’s independent investigation is presented to the Douglas County District Attorney’s office.
- September 15: The Douglas County District Attorney’s office files a misdemeanor battery charge against McClelland.
"Every day our officers routinely encounter and strive unprecedented calls they have to deal with and we try to do the best and right thing every single time. In this particular incident, that didn’t happen. And I’m very, very sorry for that,” said Khatib.
This isn’t the first time McClelland has been accused of using excessive force.
An off-duty firefighter sued the city of Lawrence and claimed McClelland was one of several officers who used excessive force while arresting him.
The firefighter said he suffered injuries to his face, head and hand.
No internal investigation was conducted. That firefighter was found guilty of interfering with an arrest and he eventually dropped his lawsuit.
McClelland is scheduled to make his fist court appearance on October 27 at 3:00 p.m.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at Ariel.Rothfield@KSHB.com.
