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08-14-2020, 12:06 PM #1UnregisteredGuest
charlotte county sheriff,bill prummell deputy eric knapp excessive force ia
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Internal Affairs
Internal Investigation
IA-20-2
DFC Eric Knapp
#2266
Investigator: Sergeant Terry Cochran
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Summary
On Tuesday, June 18, 2020, Cpl. Aaron Williams was contacted by Charlotte
County Fire/EMS employee Tavi Cooley reference a concern with DFC Eric Knapp's actions and
words during a call for service (later identified as 2006-008686). That same date, Cpl. Thomas
Barker received a complaint from a citizen, about the rudeness and disregard for
her wellbeing by DFC Knapp during a call for service. Cpl. Barker performed a preliminary
investigation, collecting sworn statements from CCFD Cooley and as complainants
as well as identified witnesses. Cpl. Barker gathered this information and wrote a memorandum
concerning a violation of policy through the chain of command.
Based upon this information and accompanying documents received by CCSO's
command staff, the complaint was forwarded for investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit and
Sergeant Terry Cochran was assigned to investigate this complaint.
Notification of Internal Investigation
On June 26, 2020, Deputy First Class Eric Knapp was notified he was being investigated
by the Internal Affairs Unit. DFC Knapp was advised the investigation would pertain to Charlotte
County Sheriff's Office General Order 3.50 F.4.d.12 – Conduct Unbecoming. DFC Knapp was
provided a Confidentiality of Internal Investigations form, which he signed and understood. He
was also provided with a copy of Florida statute 112.532 and 112.533. DFC Knapp was also
advised any violations not listed on the notification would also be investigated, if found, through
the course of the internal investigation.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office General Order
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Operations Manual General Order 3.50
G.O. 3.50 F.4.d.12 – Conduct Unbecoming
Members will conduct themselves at all times, both on and off duty, in such a manner as to reflect
most favorably on the Office. Conduct unbecoming a member will include that which tends to
bring this Office into disrepute or reflects discredit upon the member, or that which tends to impair
the operation and efficiency of this Office.
1 - Active investigati
1 - Active investigati
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Documents
For the scope of this investigation documents were obtained and reviewed. The
memorandum and accompanying statements and supporting documents from Cpl. Barker were
reviewed. Text messages were received from Cpl. Aaron Williams concerning his conversation
with CCFD employee Tavi Cooley. A copy of case number 2006-008686, both in CAD and
ACISS RMS, including any investigative supplements and supporting documents, were obtained
and reviewed.
Sworn recorded statements were obtained by Cpl. Barker from CCFD Tavi Cooley,
and CCFD Lt. Kemerer. I obtained sworn recorded statements from the
identified witnesses (complainant – follow up information), Russell McCord
(Englewood Fire), Sarah Moore and William "Bill" Garrison (service
driver). I also obtained sworn recorded statements from CCSO employees Cpl. Aaron Williams
and Cpl. Thomas Barker, who both signed Confidentiality of Internal Investigations forms for
this investigation. The facts from the identified witnesses are detailed below.
Witness Interviews
Cpl. Barker obtained statements for this investigation, and I conducted interviews with
multiple witnesses and members of the agency. Pertinent details of the recorded statements are
summarized below.
Cpl. Barker interview with complainant
On Thursday, June 18, 2020, at about 1925hrs, Cpl. Barker spoke with one of the
complainants, who provided a sworn recorded statement.
and took a cab ride home where she met a deputy at
stated the deputy who responded, later identified as DFC Eric
Knapp,
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next thing she remembered was she was up at the front door of the house and DFC Knapp
grabbed her arms and was pushing her back against the wall. Then opened the
door and asked what was going on, and she stated DFC Knapp told that she was
drunk. stated she did not remember that much about the night because
stated she was trying to remember as best she could
about the incident.
stated she was most upset because DFC Knapp was yelling at her and not
helping her stated she believes DFC Knapp could
have been "less mean" to her and she believed there was no reason to push her against the wall
near the front door. stated she did not remember DFC Knapp asking to take pictures
of her injuries, and all she could remember was that no one, including the EMS personnel, was
helping her.
This is a brief summary of Cpl. Barker's interview with Please refer to the
statement for further information.
Follow up interview with complainant
On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, I, Sgt. Terry Cochran, conducted a follow up interview with
the complainant, who provided another sworn recorded statement.
stated her previous statement was true that she could remember. I asked a few follow up
questions. stated she remembered sitting in the car (Bill's taxi) in the front passenger
seat and stated DFC Knapp "wouldn’t leave me alone," stating he accused her of being drunk and
getting into a fight. stated she remembered talking with the EMS personnel, and
DFC Knapp was in the background, but said she did not remember him interfering with EMS
trying to help her. said she still did not remember much about the night, and the next
thing she remembered was being at the front door and trying to put her keys into the door when
DFC Knapp came up behind her and was grabbing her on her arms. showed me her
arms and stated there were no injuries due to DFC Knapp putting his hands on her.
said DFC Knapp kept yelling at her because she was drunk. said when the door
opened and she saw she ran inside the house. said that was all she
could remember about the night.
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said she was upset the deputy was rude to her and she stated she could not
remember a reason for him to put his hands on her. I asked what kind of conclusion
to this complaint she wanted to see. said she did not know, but she did not want
anyone else to experience DFC Knapp's rudeness like she did. wants his attitude to
improve and wants to put this whole experience behind her.
This is a brief summary of the follow up interview with Please refer to the
statement for further information.
Cpl. Barker statement with complainant Tavi Cooley (CCFD)
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at about 2000hrs, Cpl. Barker spoke with Tavi Cooley, EMS
personnel from Charlotte County Fire Department on scene during the call. Cooley stated facts
about the call for service. Cooley stated DFC Knapp was already on scene when EMS arrived,
and the female seemed upset. Cooley said she tried to gather information, including the subject's
name, DOB, etc. but she could only get the name from the female. Cooley said it
seemed was upset with the deputy for "not helping." Cooley said she requested from
DFC Knapp any identification and DFC Knapp said he did not have any ID from the female.
Cooley said she spoke with DFC Knapp, stating was alert enough to make decisions, she
denied medical treatment, and Cooley wanted to transport her to the hospital. DFC Knapp told
Cooley very flatly he could Baker Act but Cooley said she did not believe that was the
right actions. Cooley said she raised her voice a little saying there's got to be another way other
than to rip her out of the car. When Cooley looked back, was out of the car and
stumbling to the door. Cooley said she went up to talk with o try to get her to go to the
hospital. Cooley said DFC Knapp came up with a camera to try to take photographs of
injuries. Cooley said was yelling and pointing her finger at DFC Knapp, but she did not
have a clear view about what was going on due to bushes being in her field of view. The next
thing she heard was DFC Knapp yelled something, grabbed by her forearms, and pushed
her to the wall near the front door, coming back in her (Cooley's) view. Cooley said the front
door opened and went inside the house and the roommate came out. Cooley told the
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roommate what happened, and to call back if wanted to go to the hospital. Cooley said
she could not get the refusal form signed, and it seemed to her DFC Knapp was the cause of
agitated state. Cooley said she did not think it was right of DFC Knapp to push
back like he did.
Cooley said she never experienced rudeness from any deputy before, and she thought it
was unprofessional due to his abruptness, then being physical with someone Cooley believed to
be a victim.
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08-15-2020, 01:47 PM #2UnregisteredGuest
Great job Eric! Great self control in an obvious chaotic situation. I worked with Eric for years and I found him to be professional and yes matter of fact.
Sheets if sheriff and on a scene similar scene would wet his pants and cry for mommy if confronted
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