F R O M T H E S T A T E A T T O R N E Y A n d r e w H . W a r r e n - S t a t e A t t o r n e y f o r t h e T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
endingtheMysteryaround theuseofdeadlyforce
everytimealawenforcementofficerorcivilianclaimsjustifiable useofdeadlyforce , theHillsboroughstateattorney ’ sofficefollows adeliberateprocesstodeterminethefactsandshareitsfindings withthepublic .
An armed suspect takes off down a dark side road . An officer runs after him . There , on that empty street , the officer opens fire . The suspect falls to the ground and doesn ’ t survive . What happened ? Every time a law enforcement officer or civilian claims justifiable use of deadly force , the Hillsborough State Attorney ’ s Office follows a deliberate process to determine the facts and share its findings with the public .
First , a senior prosecutor responds to the scene and remains available as detectives gather evidence , question witnesses , and piece together the puzzle .
Detectives then present their findings to our Homicide Committee — around two dozen of our most seasoned prosecutors . They hear the evidence and go to work picking it apart , often with uncomfortable questions . Did you follow this lead ? Did you ask that question ? Does this add up ?
After the detectives depart , the committee digs into the applicable law . Does this meet the standards in the statute ? In the case law ? How does it match up with our high burden of proof — beyond a reasonable doubt ?
The law lays out our potential outcomes . We may determine that the use of force was justified or that we cannot refute a person ’ s claims that they were lawfully acting in self-defense . In those situations , no criminal charges are filed . Or the facts may show that the act was potentially neither justified nor lawful self-defense , and we file charges to prosecute and bring that question to a jury .
The committee makes a recommendation , and as State Attorney , I make the ultimate filing decision .
footage from police officer body-worn camera .
Our office has further expanded its commitment to transparency , posting every review ’ s outcome online . 1 Since implementing this process following George Floyd ’ s murder , our reports now cover over thirty civilian and law enforcement cases .
We also include related materials — typically photos , video , and other evidence that helps readers better understand the situation and our decision — and links to request additional detailed public records .
We believe this level of transparency will help grow the public ’ s confidence in the system at a time when relationships are strained between law enforce - ment and the communities they serve .
The case I described at the start is a real incident . Body-worn camera video and other evidence clearly showed that the suspect stopped running , turned and walked toward the officer with his gun in his hand , and then — just a few steps away — raised his gun and pointed it directly at the officer . That image is printed above . We found the officer ’ s use of deadly force to be justified and no charges were filed .
I hope this look behind the scenes shows you how much analysis goes into getting these decisions right . This process may have been shrouded in mystery in the past . But today , any community member can see the evidence for themselves , read about the facts and the law , and learn exactly why we took the action we did on behalf of the people of the State of Florida . n
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Available at sao13th . com / useofdeadlyforcereviews .
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