Desert Hot Springs Police address community concerns over officer shooting dog
Desert Hot Springs Police Department posted a video addressing the community late Thursday night in response to an officer-involved shooting that left a dog dead. They remain adamant that the dog attacked the officer and was left with no choice but to shoot the dog.
Click Here to See the Video DHSPD is referring to. Viewer discretion is advised
Statement from the Association:
The Desert Hot Springs Police Officers Association is aware of an incident involving one of our members this week. During that incident, a dog was shot and killed by a police officer.
It has come to our attention that wildly inaccurate and, frankly, defamatory accounts of the incident and alleged actions of our officer are being quickly spread on social media. At best, the irresponsible and patently false labeling of our member as a cold blooded animal killer are completely baseless and ridiculous, and at worst, they are intentional and must be remedied.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are currently under investigation, which prevents the POA from commenting specifically on those circumstances. With that said, slanderous, libelous, and downright shameful spreading of misinformation will not go unaddressed by the association.
Desert Hot Springs Police Officers are routinely put in dangerous and life-threatening situations during the course of their duties. They are not expected nor required, by law, policy, or ethics, to give up their right to defend themselves, and they won’t. The facts of this incident will be clear for all to see when the investigation is completed.
The city of Desert Hot Springs says that there is body camera footage that confirms their account of what happened. News Channel 3 asked for the footage and was told, "There's an active investigation, so nothing can be released at this time."
Tune in to KESQ News Channel 3 at 4 and 5 p.m. to learn the department's policies when encountering animals.
