PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Priceville Police Officer Garry Chapman, who was fired for the decisions he made during a deadly chase, is set to return to work soon. He began his 10-day suspension on Tuesday.
Chapman’s attorney, Scott Morro, said he intends to keep an eye on the department to make sure Chapman is treated fairly. Before Chapman was reinstated, Morro filed a $10 million claim with the city. He said that the claim could turn into a lawsuit.
In the initial firing decision, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin agreed with Chief Jerry Holmes’s assessment of the situation, saying Chapman violated the police department’s chase policy by not considering how many people might be in the path of the chase.
Chapman decided to appeal that decision to the city council. On Monday night, the Priceville City Council voted unanimously to reinstate Chapman to the police department, with a 10-day suspension and the promise of more training in the future.
Morro maintains that Chapman did not do anything wrong.
News 19 reached out to Holmes to learn more about his plans for the department moving forward. You can read his full statement here:
“I am open to reviewing the pursuit policy alongside the comprehensive rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures of our department. Any opportunity to enhance our daily operations is beneficial. Regarding future training related to pursuits, we intend to explore various options, as well as implement periodic training focused on our policies to ensure that my expectations for our officers are clearly understood. Concerning the council’s decision about Garry Chapman, while I do not agree with it, we acknowledge the decision and will proceed accordingly. We are ready to refocus, move forward, and get back to work.”
Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes
Attorney Will League is representing the family of two teenagers who were injured when Archie Hale, the man Chapman was chasing, hit the car they were in. One of those teens is still in the hospital.
“The young child cannot talk, cannot walk, and may need care for the rest of his life,” League said.
Another teen in the car with them, 17-year-old Tristain Hollis, was killed.
League said he has more questions about the case and the role the Priceville Police Department played in the outcome of the chase.
“What action and what supervisory role was taken in training this young officer and then aiding him during this particular chase?” League asked.
League has already filed a lawsuit against the suspect who crashed into the car, Archie Hale. He tells News 19 he is considering adding the City of Priceville to the suit.
“The families don’t want this to happen to anybody else, and from a lawyer standpoint, on the civil side, I’m trying to get them compensation for what they’ve been through,” League said.
The lawsuit would also name Chapman.
“Alabama law requires us to name the individual officer, an employee of the city, and that’s by design,” League said. “These families are not trying to take this officer’s paycheck. We have to go through these officers to get to the insurance carrier for the city and the insurance company for the officer.”
League said Alabama law caps what a family can receive from a municipality at $100,000. He said, considering the loss in this case, that number is very small, and he urges the Alabama Legislature to consider raising the amount families can be compensated.
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