Police Officer Shoots Allegedly Unarmed Teenager

This case involves the shooting of an allegedly armed teenager by a police officer in Illinois. The teenager was smoking at a park with a group of their contemporaries when the police officer approached. As the group began to disband, there was a brief altercation between the teenager and the officer, prompting the officer to shoot. The shot killed the teenager instantly. The police officer claimed to have fired in self-defense, however, it was unclear if the teenager intended to harm the officer. An expert in police officer-involved shootings was requested to opine on police procedures as they relate to wrongful death shootings.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have knowledge of and experience with police procedures as they relate to wrongful death shootings and Section 1983 Civil Rights cases?

2. What information would you look for and request through discovery in a police shooting investigation?

Expert Witness Response E-033998

I am a 30-year career law enforcement officer with an exemplary record. I have served as assistant police chief, police chief, the deputy chief of staff /senior law enforcement advisor to the Governor, a senior leader of major law enforcement agencies, and a member of the department's review boards. As a certified police instructor, I have trained thousands of police officers in the use of force, criminal investigations, search warrant procedures, narcotics investigations, and patrol procedures. Over the course of my career, I have been recognized for my integrity and leadership.

I have first-hand knowledge about officer shootings, and I have often provided insight into officer shooting investigations, including discovery and police depositions, during my career. I have investigated hundreds of police misconduct allegations in all areas including use of force/Taser/pepper spray, deadly force, k-9, and police pursuits. I have broad-based experience in high-liability areas including the management and development of policies and procedures. I have attained a significant amount of experience serving as an officer in the field as well as a line supervisor and homicide detective supervisor who investigated officer-involved shootings. As a police executive, I have also developed use-of-force policies and evaluated trends and individualized cases. In addition, I served as a union representative on many officer-involved shootings. I received training in criminal investigations, homicide investigation, police officer bill of rights and internal police investigations. As police chief and assistant chief, I was responsible for the review and oversight of officer-involved shootings. I have been retained in numerous officer-involved shootings, and have been qualified as an expert in state and federal court.