Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Feb 20, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Whitehorn’s comments on Angela Garbarino case

Thank you for coming this morning.

The City of Shreveport and the Shreveport Police Department have been in the national media spotlight during the last several days, as a result of a person injured while in our custody.

This incident occurred on November 17, 2007, after Shreveport police were called about a Hit and Run vehicle crash in downtown Shreveport. Two parked cars were struck and it was reported that the driver left the scene.

The vehicle continued north on Clyde Fant Parkway where it ran off the road and struck a street light pole, knocking it onto the roadway. These crashes caused severe damage to the vehicle. However, the driver was able to drive it away.

Thanks to a concerned citizen, who observed the crashes and called police, officers were able to locate the vehicle and driver at the intersection of Grimmett Drive and Havens. The driver was identified as Mrs. Angela Garbarino. She was arrested for Hit and Run, Reckless Driving and Driving While Intoxicated.

Before being transported from the scene, she was treated by Shreveport Fire Department paramedics for facial injuries resulting from the vehicle crashes.

She was then transported to the DWI Unit office at police headquarters and released to Officer Wiley Willis for testing and processing. As is seen in the videotape, Mrs. Garbarino was uncooperative and declined to follow Officer Willis’ instructions. After repeated attempts to leave the room, she was eventually handcuffed.

Once Officer Willis determined she was not going to submit to the chemical test for intoxication, he decided to end the testing procedure which included the videotaping. Turning off the tape at this point was standard procedure.

Subsequently, I was notified of the incident by the Commander on Duty. I was also informed that on the night of the incident, Mr. Garbarino was advised by a representative of Internal Affairs of the process for filing a complaint against Officer Willis, if he or his wife felt it was warranted.

By December 10, 2007, no internal affairs complaint had been filed by the Garbarinos. During the interim, I had an opportunity to view the tape. I was outraged at what I observed and immediately ordered that an internal affairs investigation be conducted into this incident.

That investigation determined that numerous policy violations had occurred. A Pre-disciplinary Conference was held on February 5, 2008, and Officer Willis was terminated for violation of departmental policies. Due to his appeal of the termination and the possibility of litigation, I cannot be more specific about this case.

I want everyone to know that we have a great department. Our officers are well trained. Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated by any officer at any time, and necessary action, including termination and prosecution, will be taken when warranted.

Officer misconduct will not be tolerated within the City of Shreveport and all allegations of misconduct will be thoroughly and completely investigated. We will not tolerate violations of departmental policies and procedures.

And, because of that, this officer is no longer employed with the Shreveport Police Department.

After discussions with the Mayor and District Attorney, Paul Carmouche, the file for this case is being delivered to the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office for review.

I have also been in contact with Mr. Bill Flannigan, 1st Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District, who informed me that the U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI are also opening an investigation into this incident. Of course, we will cooperate fully with these investigations.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews