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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police Wrongdoing Found In Death

San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco’s police watchdog agency says officers used unnecessary force and “neglected their duty” during the June arrest of burglary suspect Aaron Williams, who later died in custody.

Lance Bayer, director of the Office of Citizen Complaints, told the Police Commission that his agency’s investigators had found wrongdoing on the part of an unspecified number of officers.

Within two weeks, the OCC plans to make formal recommendations to Chief Tony Ribera that the officers face disciplinary charges in the June 4 death of Williams.

Ribera can suspend officers for up to nine days himself or refer officers to the Police Commission for stricter punishment, including firing.

Bayer said Wednesday night that the findings were preliminary and would not be finalized until the officers and Williams’ family have ad a chance to review the allegations. Bayer declined to say how many officers would be accused of wrongdoing.

He said the OCC investigation “sustained allegations of unnecessary force and neglect of duty.” He declined to be specific.

City regulations prohibit the OCC from releasing investigation results.