TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A special prosecutor has cleared three Terre Haute police officers following allegations of misconduct in what Police Chief Shawn Keen called a “volatile and dangerous apprehension.”
Officers Brian Hall, Daniel Johnson and Justin Gant were placed on leave following the arrest of Chance Kernstein who was accused of shooting at a truck.
When officers attempted to stop Kernstein’s vehicle, he led them on a pursuit that ended in Lewis, Ind.
Kernstein was charged with criminal recklessness, false reporting, resisting law enforcement, intimidation, pointing a firearm, reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine and violating a home detention order.
A federal review ended in December with no charges being filed against the officers.
As a result of the FBI investigation, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy defensive tactics instructors investigated the use of force used in the arrest.
“The findings of those reviews indicated that all three officers acted within policy and their departmental training in regards to the force used to effect this arrest,” Police Chief Shawn Keen said in a statement Friday.
The third and final review by a special prosecutor also concluded that “there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed,” Keen reported Friday.
Keen noted that the officers “had been placed under a cloud of suspicion in the public domain.”
“Their actions have now been reviewed at multiple levels and law enforcement organizations and none have resulted in a finding of any wrongdoing,” Keen said, adding that he wanted to recognize them and the other officers involved for their “heroism.”
Keen said throughout the review each of the officers “expressed their desire to return to work.”
“I am grateful to have them and welcome their return to duty,” he concluded.
