KANSAS CITY, KAN. (AP) — A Wyandotte County jail inmate was paid a $50,000 out-of-court settlement and a sergeant was fired after he allegedly beat the prisoner, who was handcuffed at the time, Sheriff Donald Ash said Thursday.
Ash discussed the incident after an internal investigation was completed, which led to Sgt. David Toland being fired and four others being disciplined for their “action or inaction."
Toland was accused of punching the prisoner and slamming his head against an elevator while taking him from a drug search in September. He was charged in November with misdemeanor mistreatment of a prisoner and aggravated battery.
Deputy Marcus Johnson was charged with misdemeanor mistreatment of a confined person and misdemeanor asssault for a separate incident that occurred in the same search, Ash said. Johnson was not fired but Ash would not say if Johnson was disciplined.
The men's criminal cases are pending.
Ash also said a Wyandotte County detective is on leave after being named as a suspect in a December hit-and-run on Interstate 70. An internal investigation is ongoing but a criminal investigation has concluded. As of Thursday, no charges have been filed.
In response to the incidents, Ash said he was implementing new policies to improve officers' understanding of use of force policies.