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Washington Police Officer On Unpaid Administrative Leave Can Return To Work

Last updated on Thursday, October 13, 2016

(WASHINGTON) - A Washington Police Officer, who has been on unpaid administrative leave for almost five years, can now return to work.

The Washington Board of Public Works and Safety rescinded the leave of Officer Barry Hudson in a unanimous vote Tuesday night. Hudson has been on leave since early 2012.

Hudson was suspended after an incident on Christmas Eve of 2011.

Officer Hudson and Officer Steve Mize responded to call at the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Washington of someone inside the church. They located Kenneth Anderson, who appeared to be intoxicated and became belligerent with officers and at one point threatened Officer Hudson's life.

According to the probable cause: "After Anderson exited Hudson's police car, Hudson placed his hands on Anderson and shoved him to the floor. Anderson's face bounced off the back left quarter panel of Hudson's car with enough force to cause the car to rock side to side several times. Anderson then went face first into the concrete floor of the sally port. Anderson was handcuffed behind his back during the incident in the sally port."

Anderson sustained a large laceration to his forehead, two chipped teeth and a loose filling. He was transported to Daviess Community Hospital, where he was treated and released, then transported to a Washington residence.

In a written report, Hudson stated Anderson was belligerent and threatening on the way to the jail. He said when Anderson got out of the car, he took a distinct step toward him and moved in as if to head-butt Hudson. He said Anderson was so close to his face he could feel beads of saliva hitting his face. Hudson said he used an academy-taught redirection technique to divert Anderson's body away from his.

The incoming police chief at the time, Mike Healy, was informed and Hudson was then placed on five days leave pending an inquiry by the city's incoming mayor and Board of Public Works.

Before the board could take action, the prosecutor's office in Martin County was assigned as special prosecutor and after an investigation by the office and state police criminal charges were filed against Hudson.

Hudson was then placed on the unpaid leave on February 20th 2012. That's when Martin County dismissed the case to the US Department of Justice which held the case until late 2015 and declined to proceed.

The case was then remanded back to the Martin County Prosecutor's Office which re-filed the criminal charges.

However, last week, the office dismissed the case.

In a Washington City Police news release, it says it was never the city's intent to terminate Hudson and upon agreement and understanding of all parties, Hudson will be allowed to return to work.

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