NASSAU-The government is responsible for a a 2011 “ friendly fire” shooting of a police officer, a judge has found.
On August 16, Corporal Darren Rutherford was shot in the shoulder by Constable Daniel Ford while executing a search warrant on a home at McCullough Corner East allegedly occupied by a robbery suspect armed with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Rutherford sued the Commissioner of Police and Attorney General for damages. For their part, the defendants said that Ford acted in lawful self defense.
Justice Indra Charles found the defendants were negligent in issuing Ford an Uzi sub-machine gun since he was not trained to use one.
Rutherford and two other officers entered the home, where they arrested the suspect and three others, while Ford and four officers stood guard outside.
Rutherford’s team informed the officers outside that the house had been cleared and they were continuing the search for the weapon.
Rutherford was shot as he kicked open a door to a room attached to the main home.
Ford said opened fire because he feared for his life when he saw an unidentified man with a handgun when the door swung open, and quickly closed.
Since Ford knew that three armed officers were inside the home, Charles said it was necessary for him to confirm the identity of the person with the gun before he fired.
Charles said, “He also failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence while acting in his capacity as a police officer.”
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