*** Press Release *** Date: July 29, 2014 No: 14-38 Subject: Officer Involved Shooting Chief of Police Art Howell has issued the following statement regarding the officer involved shooting which occurred on July 6, 2014. On today’s date, the investigative report outlining the use of lethal force by Racine Police Department personnel on July 6, 2014, was released to the public. Per newly enacted legislation (Wisconsin Assembly Bill 409), this matter was referred to an outside law enforcement agency for impartial investigation. Operating with the technical support of Wisconsin State Patrol scene reconstruction specialists, Racine County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) personnel assumed the investigative role of fulfilling the legislative mandate of Assembly Bill 409. As noted in the investigative report from RCSO investigators, two City of Racine police officers responded to 3011 Durand Avenue in response to a call for service involving an individual who self-reported that he had consumed 100 Ibuprofen pills. Upon arrival, officers encountered Rajko Utvic, who was armed with a knife. As supported by statements obtained from multiple witnesses, during the course of this encounter, officers continuously ordered Mr. Utvic to drop his weapon. The verbal commands were however repeatedly ignored. In an attempt to resolve this armed encounter peacefully, officers used their department issued electronic control (ECD) devices to disarm Mr. Utvic. Attempts to stop the advancing armed subject through less lethal means were not successful. After less lethal options failed, and after Mr. Utvic continued to advance towards officers in a threatening manner, lethal force was used to stop the escalating threat. After a thorough and comprehensive external investigation, the work-product compiled by RCSO investigators was forwarded to the Racine County District Attorney’s Office for review and disposition. After a review of the facts and circumstances involved in this case, it was determined that the officers involved, Racine Fire Department rescue personnel, and various citizens faced the threat of great bodily harm as a result of Mr. Utvic’s actions. Due to the facts as reported and confirmed, the use of deadly force was ruled as justified. During the course of this investigation, it was revealed that Mr. Utvic suffered from mental illness. As an organization, the Racine Police Department has a strong and demonstrated track record of partnering with local mental health professionals to increase officer understanding and compassion when interacting with individuals who live with mental health challenges. While the Racine Police Department has committed to increasing the number of officers who receive specialized Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), we acknowledge that such training cannot eliminate the need to exercise lethal force when confronted with the threat of deadly force against citizens or police personnel, as was the case on July 6, 2014. While the officers involved in this incident have yet to participate in specialized CIT training as of this time, through in-service training, all sworn members of the Racine Police department receive instruction on dealing with mental health consumers. All officers also receive extensive training on dealing with armed individuals. Although the investigative findings support the conclusion that the use of lethal force was justified, as law enforcement professionals, we are mindful that the outcome in this case is difficult for family members and friends of Mr. Utvic. Even when justified by legal intervention, the loss of life is no less tragic. We are hopeful that the extensive external review process conducted by RCSO personnel and the subsequent transparency in sharing the results of this investigation give family, friends, and members of the public at large confidence that this matter was investigated with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. Following the outcome of this review, the officers involved in this incident recently returned to full duty. Sgt. Jessie Metoyer Public Information Officer
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 16:32:21 +0000
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