CSPD responds to lawsuit: Internal review clears officer
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has responded after a $100 million lawsuit was announced against one of its officers who tased a man during an altercation, resulting in the man breaking his neck and becoming paralyzed from the neck down.
The lawsuit against CSPD Officer Robert Comstock claims that Comstock violated CSPD policy when he tased Jacob Root on May 16, 2022, following a stolen car investigation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CSPD officer faces $100 million lawsuit for incident that left man paralyzed
The lawsuit argues that, according to CSPD Standard Operating Procedures on the use of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEW), officers are not supposed to utilize a taser when a subject is “in an elevated position or a location where a fall may cause substantial injury or death.” The lawsuit claims that Root was running down an incline when he was tased, and due to the effects of the taser, he could not brace himself when he fell, resulting in his broken neck.
CSPD contends with the claims made in the lawsuit, stating that Officer Comstock gave Root ample opportunities to comply with orders, and warned him that force would be used if he continued to try and evade officers. Despite that, CSPD said Root defied officers, and the taser was used as Root ran toward Airport Road.
“While our goal is to complete every call for service in a safe manner, unfortunately, the suspect sustained injuries during his attempt to flee officers, who were readily identifiable and had commanded him to stop,” said CSPD in its statement.
WARNING: Some images in the below gallery may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
Body-worn camera footage of Jacob Root being tased. Courtesy of Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels Courtesy: Harry M. Daniels
After Root’s arrest, CSPD said an internal review was conducted into Officer Comstock’s use of force, as is standard with any use of force that results in serious bodily injury.
Click here to view the full review of the internal affairs investigation, as well as all body-worn camera footage of the incident, which was released on Friday by CSPD in the spirit of transparency with the community.
“After review through the deputy chief, Officer Comstock was exonerated from any policy violation or wrongdoing. CSPD stands by the findings of this internal review. Officer Comstock is a valued employee and is in good standing with the department,” CSPD stated.
FOX21 News spoke with the law team representing Root, you can read that story in the previous coverage linked above.
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