OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The Ogden Police Department is facing some heat Wednesday night. They've hired a former UHP sergeant, just four months after he was fired for repeatedly punching a 59-year-old woman in the face.
What some people may find interesting is that Ogden Police believe Sgt. Andrew Davenport was one of the most eligible officers they could’ve hired. But others see it differently.
If you look at the video you can understand why some would consider Davenport’s actions as police brutality.
“It’s a little much I think,” said Mitch Nay, Ogden resident.
“I don’t feel good about it,” said Nancy Hale, Ogden resident.
“Wow, Oh God! That’s not right,” said Neilda Navarro, Ogden resident.
That’s the reaction of people in Ogden after
ABC 4 showed them “dash-cam” video from August 2010, of then Sgt. Andrew Davenport with the Utah Highway Patrol. In it you can see the Davenport repeatedly punch the driver in the face. That driver was a 59-year-old woman.
Wednesday the Department of Public Safety confirmed for ABC 4, that they fired Davenport on Feb. 14th, 2011 for excessive use of force involved in the 2010 incident. We at ABC 4 discovered Ogden Police hired Davenport roughly four months later on June 27th, 2011 as one of their newest officers.
We went to Ogden to find out why, but after roughly an hour of waiting, the police department only gave us a written statement. In reads in part –
“Officer Davenport ranked number one on the eligibility list approved by the Civil Service Commission and was hired by the previous administration. A total of 102 applicants tested for the position. The testing process consisted of a written test, physical test, oral interview, and a behavioral assessment. He was hired on June 27th, 2011 and has successfully completed our field training officer program and six month probationary period.”
One man who didn’t want to be identified doesn’t find fault with Ogden for hiring him.
“So it doesn’t bug you that an officer like this is the newest officer in your city?” asked Reporter Brian Carlson.
“I think it depends on the circumstances,” he said.
But others wish he wasn’t working there.
“The next time you get pulled over, it could be him,” said Carlson to one Ogden resident.
“I hope not,” she said.
“That’d terrify me,” said another resident.
“Does it make you nervous?” asked Carlson.
“Yes, it makes me nervous, I’m kind of scared,” said a third resident.
To see the full statement from Ogden Police about the hiring of Andrew Davenport, click on the link embedded in this story.
