The FWPD is aware of a video showing one of our officers engaged in enforcement action with a traffic violator which happened at the intersection of South Anthony and East Washington Boulevards, just before 1800 hours on January 23, 2023.
Fort Wayne Police Department incident report:
Date: January 23, 2023
Location: the intersection of South Anthony Boulevard and East Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Time: 1758 hours
Suspect Arrested: Omar Ortiz, 23 years of age
Preliminary Charges:
- Operating While Intoxicated (Prior Conviction) Felony
- OWI Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
- OWI < or = .15%, Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class A Misdemeanor
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Details/Summary:
The Fort Wayne Police Department is aware of a video showing one of our officers engaged in enforcement action with a traffic violator. This incident occurred at Anthony & Washington just before 6pm, Monday January 23rd. What we know in the preliminary stages of this investigation is that the subject, Omar Ortiz was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and crashed into another vehicle causing minor injuries to the other party and resisted law enforcement. Continued attempts by the officer to place Omar into handcuffs while standing were unsuccessful due to Omar’s refusal to keep his hands behind his back. He was taken to the ground by the lone officer in order to quickly place him into custody and prevent further resistance and possible escape.
Despite what is depicted from an off-angle perspective, the officer’s actions align with our policies, procedures, and training doctrine. Again, after being told repeatedly what would happen, Omar failed to comply with the officer’s directive. A simple, yet effective takedown was executed and the subject was safely and efficiently secured in handcuffs. Our officers are trained to de-escalate when possible and to use force necessary and reasonable to effect an arrest. Once handcuffed, the subject was moved from the position of arrest very quickly and escorted to the officer’s patrol vehicle. He was offered medical attention at the scene and refused.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All information is preliminary and subject to change during the course of the investigation.