Speakman could not be reached for comment, but the Ohio
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, a police union, said in a
statement that Speakman was fired "without JUST CAUSE" and it
was filing a grievance on his behalf.
The incident unfolded on July 4 after law enforcement officers
engaged in the lengthy pursuit of a semi-tractor trailer driven
by Jadarrius Rose, 23. The vehicle was missing a mud flap and it
had failed to stop for an inspection, a report from the Ohio
State Highway Patrol (OSHP) said.
It came to a halt on a state highway about 40 miles (64 km)
south of Columbus after officers deployed tire deflation
devices, known as "stop sticks," for a second time.
In a video provided by the highway patrol, Rose is standing by
the vehicle with his hands raised as law enforcement officials
order him to get on the ground.
Moments later, an officer with the Circleville Police Department
unleashed a police dog on Rose even though a state trooper told
the local officer not to release the dog.
"Do not release the dog - with his hands up," the trooper can be
heard shouting on the video.
The video shows the dog running towards Rose, now on his knees,
and appears to show the canine biting and pulling the driver.
Rose screams loudly and can be heard saying, "please get it
off."
A social media campaign that formed after the story came to
light last week has called a protest for Saturday. A Facebook
group called Dismantle Circleville Police demanded the dismissal
of Speakman and Police Chief Shawn Baer, in addition to dropping
all charges against Rose.
Circleville police department declined to comment beyond the
statement.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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