July 16, 2008

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Chain of Command Review Board has completed its administrative investigation into the March 20, 2008 incident that ended in the death of Darryl Wayne Turner. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner determined Mr. Turner's death was caused by "Acute Ventricular Dysrhythmia, Agitated State, Stress and Use of Conducted Energy Weapon Device (Taser)". 

After a thorough review of the evidence, the Board determined that the initial decision to discharge the TASER was within our procedures, but the prolonged use of the TASER was not.  Officer Dawson has been suspended for five days and he will receive additional training concerning the use of the TASER.  The Department is currently reviewing its policies and procedures concerning the TASER.

The Board includes members of the officer's chain of command, Internal Affairs and an outside civilian participant from the Community Relations Committee. Their charge is to review all available evidence and interview appropriate witnesses to determine whether any departmental policies were violated. While North Carolina law prohibits the release of the results of the internal review, Police Chief Rodney Monroe is releasing the following information from the Criminal Investigations file and will continue to release as much information as possible about cases of public interest so long as it does not interfere with an on-going investigation or be in violation of the law. 

·        Officer Dawson responded to a call for service around 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 20,  
         2008, regarding a disturbance at the Food Lion supermarket at 3024 Prosperity Church
         Road.

·        Upon arrival, Officer Dawson observed Mr. Turner throwing objects at the store manager 
         and yelling.

·        Officer Dawson observed Mr. Turner advance towards the store personnel in a threatening 
         manner.

·        After Officer Dawson issued commands for Mr. Turner to stop, Mr. Turner turned and        
         started to walk towards Officer Dawson. At this point, Officer Dawson discharged his
         TASER.

·        Mr. Turner continued to walk while the TASER was discharging and exhibited aggressive
         behavior by grabbing a small rack and throwing it across the floor.

·        Officer Dawson held the trigger of the TASER down until Mr. Turner fell to the floor.

·        The continuous duration of this discharge was approximately 37 seconds.

·        Officer Dawson continued to issue commands to Mr. Dawson to put his hands behind his
          back.

·        When Mr. Turner did not comply, Officer Dawson discharged his TASER a second time for
         5  seconds.

·        Pursuant to our procedures Medic was immediately contacted.

Officer Dawson, 39, a fifteen year veteran, was hired March 31, 1993, and is assigned to the University City Division.

Several news outlets have requested the video that captured a portion of the incident. Now that the internal hearing is concluded, the video is being released in response to public concerns about what happened that day. Copies are available from the Public Information Office.