CANTON, Ohio — One week after the Canton police released body camera footage showing the "deployment" of a K-9 on a suspect, the department's chief is recommending firing the officer involved.
In a statement issued on Friday, Canton Police Chief John Gabbard says he is recommending to the city's director of public safety to terminate Officer Nicholas Casto after an internal investigation. You can read the entire statement below:
“I have always, and will continue to advocate for the incredible officers who serve this community. I am dedicated to professionalism and community service, and cannot champion those values without also demanding accountability from those who do not meet my high expectations. My review of this incident revealed clear violations of department policy and actions that are not in line with our mission, our values or our training. To preserve the integrity of this department, to 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 the termination of Officer Casto’s employment with the Canton Police Department.”
According to a statement from the department, the incident happened on May 30 in the 1100 block of 16th Street Northwest at approximately 8:45 p.m. Body camera video from Casto appeared to show his K-9 aggressively charge at a suspect who was on the ground following a traffic stop made by officers nearby.
Casto was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The released video shows Casto warning a male suspect not to say anything else to his dog. He then says to the suspect, "you're about to go in cuffs," as other officers approach the scene. "He's under arrest for taunting the dog," Casto told the officers.
Three officers tackled the suspect to the ground in front of a house, while Casto and his K-9 were standing nearby. The video shows the K-9 appearing to attack the suspect while on the ground with his hands behind his back. Police order the suspect to stop resisting before placing handcuffs on him.
The man, Kieven Conver, was transported to Mercy Hospital following the K-9 attack. Conver was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business and disorderly conduct.
REACTION
Conver's family has hired Cleveland-based attorney Bobby DiCello to represent them, according to a release from the DiCello Levitt law firm. DiCello has previously represented the family of Jayland Walker following his 2022 death at the hands of Akron police, and is currently also representing the family of Frank Tyson after he died while in Canton police custody.
On Friday, 3News spoke with DiCello Levitt Cleveland managing partner Ken Abbarno about the recommendation of Chief Gabbard to terminate Casto.
"This is a good first step," Abbarno said. "We see the Canton Police Department demonstrating accountability. We understand and hear them."
The next step in Casto's case will be a pre-disciplinary hearing with the city's safety director, per the Canton Police Department's agreement with the Canton Police Patrolmen's Association.
"We would like to think that the pre-disciplinary hearing will yield the same result. We'll see what the follow through will be," Abbarno added.
Abbarno believes that in addition to his termination from the Canton Police Department, Casto should also be prosecuted. "Accountability and justice demands charges against this officer."
DiCello issued the following statement after the body camera footage was released:
"This is the fourth major incident in only two years involving excessive force unleashed by the Canton police department. Residents of Canton are forced to live in a city under siege by the police. The community's response is desperate apathy and hopelessness because they have learned the hard way that law enforcement will not be there to protect them.
"We ask Governor Mike DeWine, State Senators, and the Department of Justice to immediately step up and start an investigation into systemic, racially motivated violence and gang-style culture prevalent in the Canton Police Department."
DiCello later sat down with 3News' Russ Mitchell to discuss the case:
The Stark County NAACP also provided the below statement to 3News:
"The Stark County NAACP concurs with the CPD Chief, in the termination of officer following the use-of-force incident with K-9.
"The Canton community is entangled in a policing culture that is not reflective of the mission or goals outlined in its policies. a thorough review of CPD's Rules and Regulations, and Mission Statement, has uncovered practices that appear contrary to the experiences the community has had in recent years. Stark County NAACP, stands firm and committed to justice."
Amid Tyson's fatal shooting and the K-9 deployment, Stark County NAACP and the Greater Stark County Urban League are collaborating on the establishment of an independent commission that would provide oversight of the Canton Police Department.
"We believe oversight from citizens is needed to help provide accountability," Abbarno said of the idea. "We'll help as much as we can."
TIMELINE OF THE EVENTS
Canton police released additional body camera footage earlier this week which showed how the traffic stop escalated into the deployment of the K-9.
Just before 8:30 p.m., Canton police pulled over a vehicle for failing to use a turn signal before pulling over to a curb. At least two cruisers are at the scene and officers soon spot a liquor bottle in the car.
"That's probable cause. We're going to search the car because of that," an officer tells the 19-year-old driver of the car.
While police question and detain the driver and his passenger, another officer discovers what appears to be a loaded concealed handgun from the driver's side. A police report from the incident indicated that the suspect is prohibited from having firearms.
The arrest of 19-year-old Kyshawn Hawkins and 18-year-old J’Dyn Campbell riles up family members and neighbors. As an officer continues to search the car, more police cruisers arrive and emotions are running high.
"I need everybody to the side of the road right now," one officer instructs angry bystanders.
"Go flex your muscles somewhere else," one of the people on the street shouts back.
About 20 minutes after police first arrived on scene, Casto deploys his K-9 on a man face down with his hands behind his back. The dog is on him for roughly 20 seconds.
Nearby, officers tackled, pepper-sprayed, and arrested another man. Police later wrote in their report that those arrested "delayed officers' duties, refused to obey, and fought with police."
Four people in all were arrested.