After kicking a suspect and breaking his jaw, a Delaware police officer has been acquitted of assault and will return to the police force on paid administrative leave. Sounds about right.
According to Police Chief Paul Bernat, the officer, Cpl. Thomas Webster IV will be able to return today on paid leave. The Dover police department requires any officer who uses force that results in the injury or death of a person to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. After this Webster will be able to return to duty.
In terms of how the public views the situation, well, that's trickier. Webster is a white officer and the subject left with a broken jaw is black.
Regardless, the jury took 16 hours to deliberate on the case before deciding to let Webster go on all charges.
