SEQUIM –– City officials have confirmed that Morgan Weimer has filed a complaint against police officers after one officer punched him during an arrest outside The Oasis Bar and Grill in the early morning hours of May 12.
Transcripts of the video recording of Weimer’s complaint will not be available until this week at the earliest, City Attorney Craig Ritchie said Friday.
Ritchie was reviewing the tape to see what could be released to the public and what would be withheld.
Weimer, 45, received four blows to the back from Officer Grant Dennis as he and Officers Rick Larsen and Maris Turner attempted to arrest Weimer following a scuffle inside The Oasis, 301 W. Washington St.
A fourth officer was holding back those watching.
An onlooker recorded the arrest on cellphone video and posted the video online, where it was seen by thousands. [The video can be seen below]
Weimer told the PDN late Wednesday he had filed a complaint against the officers for misconduct.
The city did not say who the complaint named.
Weimer has been cited for fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.
He is slated for a first appearance in court May 30.
City officials, including Police Chief Bill Dickinson, City Manager Steve Burkett and Mayor Ken Hays, have expressed support for the officers.
The officers remain on duty. Dickinson has ordered a department review of their arrest tactics.
Ritchie said because the complaint is under investigation, the city can withhold the video recording in Weimer’s complaint through an exemption clause in the state’s public records laws.
Even after the investigation is closed, some of the information in the recording — particularly information about witnesses — may be withheld.
Ritchie plans to have the audio of the complaint transcribed into text and have sensitive information redacted so it can be released before the investigation is complete.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
