RICHFIELD, Minn. (AP) - An arbitrator has reinstated a Minnesota police officer who was fired after a Twitter video appeared to show him hitting a Somali-American teen.
Richfield police say the arbitrator reversed Nate Kinsey's termination Wednesday, gave him a three-day suspension and reinstated him.
Kinsey was placed on paid administrative leave, and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and a special prosecutor reviewed the case. They declined to charge him. But the 10-year department veteran was fired after an internal investigation.
Police Chief Jay Henthorne says the city is weighing its appeal options. Kinsey did not return a call for comment.
In the video recorded by a cell phone, an officer tells a 19-year-old to leave Adams Hill Park in October 2015. The teen says the officer pushed him and hit him in the head.
“We are extremely disappointed with the arbitrator’s decision," said Henthorne. "We do not agree with this decision nor do we condone this type of behavior. The Richfield Police Department is trying to create a culture of personal accountability and build community trust in a time where police officers are not necessarily looked at favorably. He was given every opportunity to correct his behavior as it relates to his duties as a police officer. He simply did not change his behavior as it relates to using and documenting use of force so the City had no other alternative except to terminate his employment.”
“This decision strikes to the heart of what police officers are not supposed to do. We are sworn to protect and serve not hurt and humiliate,” Henthorne added.
Law Enforcement Labor Services executive director Sean Gormley said he's pleased with the arbitrator's decision.
"As a 10-year veteran of the department, Officer Kinsey is held in high regard by his fellow officers and supervisors and is known for his honesty, commitment and dedication," Gormley said. "The incident in question demonstrates the challenges officers face on a regular basis. For Officer Kinsey, this was also a learning experience. What began as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated when the parties involved refused to provide accurate information or comply with his instructions."
"The incident also illustrates the pitfalls of jumping to conclusions based on partial video and audio recordings. Those partial recordings led some to believe that Officer Kinsey had used excessive force, and that his actions were racially motivated. A more thorough review of the incident and the officer’s overall performance record showed that this was not the case," Gormley concluded.