Another local story.
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COLUMBIA, MO. -- Update: 4:45 p.m.
A delayed SWAT team drug raid has caused some changes in Columbia police department policy.
Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid and Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton held a news conference to address any rumors connected with the February 11 arrest of Jonathon Whitworth.
Columbia Police SWAT Team video shows officers using force to enter Jonathan Whitworth?s home where police only found drug paraphernalia. This attempted drug bust happened eight days after authorities secured a search warrant for marijuana. Burton said this incident forced him to adopt a new policy for search warrants.
?In hindsight, if I had known the circumstances under which that warrant was going to be run that night, I would not have run it," Burton said. "The reason for that is, under Missouri state law, once the department obtains a search warrant they are allowed 10 days to serve that warrant. It?s my opinion on a warrant of this nature it should be served as soon as possible after you get the warrant.?
With Whitworth?s wife and child present, police push him to the ground and cuff him. Gun shots indicated that police shot and killed a pit bull and injured the front paw of a corgi.
"Every indicator to me shows that this was a justifiable shooting," Burton said. "The dog was aggressive and the dog got shot.?
McDavid wants to dispel rumors that the pit ball was caged when shot by police.
?This is going to take review," McDavid said. "We?re waiting on the final report. I appreciate Chief Burton?s very open and forthright explanation.?
Burton said that Columbia police officers have been receiving death threats through phone calls and e-mails from all over the world because the police video of the raid is available online.
Whitworth has yet to file a lawsuit against the Columbia police department.
Whitworth was convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Original Story:
Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid and Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address the Feb. 11 arrest of Jonathon Whitworth.
On May 3, the Columbia Tribune reported on a drug raid by the Columbia Police on Whitworth?s home where only drug paraphernalia was found. A video of the raid shows police enter the home, while Whitworth?s wife and child were present, push him to the ground and cuff him. Gun shots heard in the video indicate that police shot and killed one dog and injured another. (See raid video and complete story of the incident)
Burton said that the warrant should not have been served eight days after the court granted the search warrant. He said that the search warrant policy has been changed so that warrants have to be served the day they were granted.
Burton continued to say that the police did nothing wrong because the dog was aggressive.
McDavid said the press conference was held to dispel rumors of the incident; like the dog was caged when shot by police
Burton said that Columbia Police officers have been receiving death threats through phone calls and email from all over the world because police video of the raid is available online.