The Bonners Ferry Police Department is aware of a social media campaign being circulated in opposition to Sergeant Scott Davis’s current assignment as a school resource officer. The Bonners Ferry Police Department wants to provide the community transparency regarding the request in this petition for an additional third-party independent review of actions taken by Sergeant Davis in the use of force incidents in question from over two years before he was assigned to the school resource officer position. The events that continue to circulate have been reviewed three different times. The petition’s author(s) are aware of at least one of the reviews and the findings of the review.
1. An independent review by the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that actions taken by Sergeant Davis did not rise to the level of an investigation according to the criteria of that federal agency. All persons who submitted a complaint to this agency were contacted directly by the investigator who reviewed the information.
2. Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) reviewed the complaint(s) submitted with the finding of no further action being taken.
3. The former Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police of the Bonners Ferry Police Department reviewed the Use of Force incidents when they occurred pursuant to BFPD policy and procedures.
The Bonners Ferry Police Department and its officers never want to utilize physical force on a suspect, but occasionally, actions of a suspect results in the need to use force to affect a lawful arrest, protect the safety of officers, and/or protect the life and property of members of the public.
Body worn cameras are an amazing tool utilized by our officers, but there are limitations to this tool. Body worn cameras do not point down; they look from the chest of the officer, meaning that what they capture is a small fraction of what may have been observed in real time by the officer or others on scene. The footage they capture is not a scripted movie scene, but real life. Officer reactions are the consequence of actions taken by an individual during a contact and what the officer sees in the moment.
YouTube personalities/channels and social media “sleuths” have no bearing on how we conduct police work, nor should they. Their interests are monetary; the more sensational they can make something, the more they profit, even at the expense of our community and its public servants.
If you have a complaint regarding one of our officers, there is a process in place. There are complaint packets that are available at Bonners Ferry City Hall and those are available for anyone who would like to address actions by any officer.
-Bonners Ferry Police Department
As an objective observer who knows nothing about the prior “complaints” against Seargent Scott Davis, this was the most insightful paragraph for me: “YouTube personalities/channels and social media “sleuths” have no bearing on how we conduct police work, nor should they. Their interests are monetary; the more sensational they can make something, the more they profit, even at the expense of our community and its public servants.”
Anytime anyone accuses anyone else of any impropriety or crime, always ask: “Where’s your evidence?” In this circumstance, alleged complaints were investigated by authorities and no credible evidence was apparently found to warrant any disciplinary action or criminal charges.
I trust the judgement of our local Sheriff’s office and deputies. So far, I’ve had no problems with them myself nor has anyone I know. When I approached officers on the street to ask questions or to say “hello”, they were cordial & polite. Unlike in many other towns & cities.
It’s a good thing that adults are in charge. Remember that children are the least educated & experienced segment of our society.
If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are good that you’ve got a duck! Bonners Ferry doesn’t need the liability of a duck! Time to replace and move on!