Courtesy: Fort Wayne Police Department
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Fort Wayne Police Department says it is aware of a video showing an FWPD officer “engaged in enforcement action with a traffic violator”. The video has been widely circulated on social media in the past few days.
Officials with the FWPD say that it happened at Anthony and Washington just before 6 pm, Monday, January 23rd.
The FWPD says that what investigators do know is that the subject, Omar Ortiz, is alleged to have been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Police say he crashed into another vehicle causing minor injuries. Following the crash, officials say that he was not cooperative and continued to resist. Police say they have seen the video and say that footage appears from an “off-angle perspective” and that the officer was acting within department policy.
The FWPD says that he was offered medical attention and refused before being taken to the Allen County Jail on several charges.
The Fort Wayne Police Department released the following regarding the arrest and subsequent video footage:
The Fort Wayne Police Department is aware of a video showing one of our officers engaged in enforcement action with a traffic violator. This incident occurred at Anthony & Washington just before 6pm, Monday January 23rd. What we know in the preliminary stages of this investigation is that the subject, Omar Ortiz was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and crashed into another vehicle causing minor injuries to the other party and resisted law enforcement. Continued attempts by the officer to place Omar into handcuffs while standing were unsuccessful due to Omar’s refusal to keep his hands behind his back. He was taken to the ground by the lone officer in order to quickly place him into custody and prevent further resistance and possible escape.
Despite what is depicted from an off-angle perspective, the officer’s actions align with our policies, procedures, and training doctrine. Again, after being told repeatedly what would happen, Omar failed to comply with the officer’s directive. A simple, yet effective takedown was executed and the subject was safely and efficiently secured in handcuffs. Our officers are trained to de-escalate when possible and to use force necessary and reasonable to effect an arrest. Once handcuffed, the subject was moved from the position of arrest very quickly and escorted to the officer’s patrol vehicle. He was offered medical attention at the scene and refused. He was arrested for the following charges:
Suspect Arrested #1: Omar Ortiz, 23 years of age
Preliminary Charges: Operating While Intoxicated (Prior Conviction) Felony
Preliminary Charges: OWI Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
Preliminary Charges: OWI
