CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — There are still questions surrounding the incident involving a K-9 unleashed on an unarmed man during a July 4th traffic stop near Circleville, including what led to Officer Ryan Speakman being fired.

What You Need To Know

  • The Circleville Police Department has released footage from Speakman's body camera and new documents

  • The footage captures Speakman's actions before unleashing his police dog on an unarmed man

  • The department indicated, in the documents, that Speakman was fired for not meeting the 'standards and expectations' of its officers

  • But, according to the documents, the review board stood up for Speakman's actions during the incident 

But new documents and video, provided by Circleville Police, shed some light. 

The footage, captured from Speakman's body camera, shows Speakman yelling at the unarmed man.

"Get on the ground or you're gonna get bit... Final chance, you're gonna get bit," Speakman said.

It also reveals Speakman's actions moments before he lets go of his dog on a man with his hands in the air.

Following that July 4th incident, the documents indicate Speakman was emotional and continued discussing it with people he was told not to. The department also says Speakman was fired for not meeting the 'standards and expectations' of its officers, but the review board, in the documents, stood up for Speakman.

"All personnel involved acted within department policy regarding the use of force and K-9 operations policies," said the review board, according to the document. 

But consultant on police dog issues, Kyle Heyen, disagreed. In reviewing the video, he believed Speakman was not acting in line with the department's policies or national standards, even. 

“What I know from use of force police dog cases across the country, Mr. Rose, the truck driver, was not an imminent threat," Heyen explained. "His hands were up. He was complying with the orders given by Ohio State Patrol. Because Mr. Rose is not a threat, I don’t see the compliance the review board is saying.” 

Spectrum News also reached out to the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association for a comment.

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