WASHINGTON — D.C. police officials are now discussing the resignation of the officer who federal investigators cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in a 2016 deadly shooting.
The department initially said Officer Brian Trainer would remain on administration leave as it conducted an internal review into the death of Terrence Sterling, a black motorcyclist who shot and killed after leading police on a 25-block chase last September.
But a day after prosecutors announced that Trainer would not face criminal charges, the police department’s approach has changed.
“The department has been in touch with Trainer’s attorney to discuss the possibility of his resignation,” said Dustin Sternbeck, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sterling, who was legally drunk and had marijuana in his system, sideswiped a police car and was shot in the side and neck in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2016, at the intersection of 3rd and M streets Northwest.
Minutes after federal investigators announced Trainer was cleared, Mayor Muriel Bowser released a statement that conflicted with the police department’s statement, saying the department was asking for the officer’s resignation.
Bowser doubled down on the need for Trainer’s departure from the department on Thursday.
“I believe if there is no accountability in this incident, we break trust with our community,” Bowser said.
“We do have the responsibility to look at our policies and procedures and make sure that they are being followed … but as we do that, we think it would be better for the force and for our community if the officer resigns.”
WTOP was unable to reach Trainer’s attorney or the union that represents D.C. police officers for comment.
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