Kerrick Trial: Law Enforcement Policy Expert Testifies For Defense

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CHARLOTTE, NC — The defense called a law enforcement expert who wrote policies for training officers on use of force.  That expert contradicted what the state’s star witness said about Officer Kerrick’s actions the night he killed Ferrell.

After Officer Wes Kerrick himself took the stand last week explaining his actions, the defense team saved powerful testimony until the end of their case.  And it came from Dave Cloutier, an expert in law enforcement policy.

“Based on my training, my experience, my education, the fact he discharged his firearm comports or is consistent with basic law enforcement training, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg policy regarding the use of force,” said Cloutier.

He also offered an explanation why Kerrick thought he fired less than 12 shots:

“When an individual, such as a lethal force encounter is under stress, the hearing will actually be shut down if you will to protect the ears.”

“In the middle of testimony, Cloutier testified he in fact trained and taught the state’s star witness Captain Campagna, who testified against Kerrick.  Captain Mike Campagna testified Kerrick was not justified in shooting Ferrell.

“The decision to draw a firearm based on fact that other officer has drawn taser is not consistent with our policy,” said Campagna.

Campagna also testified Kerrick should have reholstered his gun.  Cloutier disagreed.

“We don’t actually train officers to reholster in a timely fashion,” said Cloutier.