“Canton deserves better”: Canton K9 officer fired after controversial incident – ​​Jordan Miller News

Canton Public Safety Director Andrea M. Perry has fired police dog Nicholas Casto following a controversial incident in late May in which Casto unleashed his police dog on a suspect who was lying facedown with his hands behind his back.

The incident occurred on May 30 at 8:45 p.m. in the 1100 block of 16th Street NW and involved a traffic stop after officers noticed a vehicle not using its turn signal. During the stop, officers discovered an open container and a firearm in the vehicle, which led to the arrest of the driver and his passenger.

As tensions escalated, a 43-year-old passerby reportedly taunted the dog and resisted arrest, forcing Casto to deploy the dog. Videos posted on social media show the dog attacking the man while he lay on the ground with his hands behind his back, outraged the gathered crowd.

Police Chief John Gabbard, who recommended Casto’s firing a week after the incident, said Casto’s actions did not conform to department training.

“My review of this incident revealed clear violations of department policy and actions that are not consistent with our mission, values ​​or training,” Chief Gabbard said in a statement. “To uphold the integrity of this department, demonstrate my commitment to our values, and out of my responsibility to the officers and community I serve, I had no choice but to recommend to the Director of Public Safety that Officer Casto’s employment with the Canton Police Department be terminated.”

The day after the incident, Officer Casto was placed on leave. He had been with the Canton Police Department since 2014. Early that morning, Director Perry issued a letter officially terminating Casto’s employment.

Canton Mayor William Sherer also released a statement supporting the decision.

“The residents of Canton have a right to feel safe and protected by the people appointed and sworn to do so,” said Mayor Sherer. “Officer Nicholas Casto’s conduct does not reflect the men and women of the Canton Police Department who rise every morning with a mission to serve and protect. I fully support Safety Director Perry’s decision to terminate Officer Casto’s employment with the Canton Police Department. Canton deserves better than what we have all seen, and we will do better. This is our opportunity to make amends for incidents that threaten the integrity of our values ​​as a community.”

Sherer stressed that it was important to him to maintain the trust of the population and to ensure the quality of the police.

“Nothing means more to me than the trust of this community and our law enforcement officers,” he said. “My goal is for this termination to show our community that we care about the quality of the individuals we put in service to our citizens, and in turn, we show our police officers that only the best deserve to keep Canton safe. I fully support the leadership of our Police Chief John Gabbard and firmly believe he is the right person to lead Canton’s best. Together, we will move Canton forward.”

The incident sparked considerable debate in the Canton community about police conduct and responsibility.