The public will have an opportunity to question Oxford Police Chief John Jones about a use of force incident involving a Miami University football player at a Police Community Relations and Review Commission (PCRRC) meeting in Oxford Courthouse at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.
The football player, Devin Johnson, faces four criminal charges related to a video-recorded incident in which he was punched and kneed by an Oxford police officer at a bar. An investigation by the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office found that the officer acted appropriately.
Ryan Agee, Johnson’s lawyer, said they are currently focusing on defending the criminal case, and the outcome will determine if any future lawsuits will be filed. Agee said that his client is currently enrolled at Miami taking hybrid classes and has not been punished by the school.
“I think there’s an expectation that members who do want to share concerns or perspectives would most likely do so at the PCRRC meeting,” city councilor Amber Franklin said.
The commission “does not have the power or authority to dictate anything,” said its chairman, Larry Nadler. However, officials emphasized that the commission meeting is the best venue for the public to be heard.
“Whether that be good, bad, or just general comments/suggestions,” Police Chief John Jones wrote in an email.
At the meeting, Jones will discuss the incident and give a brief presentation on the Oxford Police Department’s use of force policy. According to the current policy, “officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and circumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose.”
The policy outlines several factors that constitute reasonable force including suspected drug or alcohol use and whether an individual resists, or attempts to evade, arrest by flight or attack on an officer. OPD requires officers to be trained on use of force protocol annually, according to the policy.
The commission meets four times a year to discuss any complaints from community members about officer misconduct and review any investigations.
On Nov. 18 at 1:20 a.m., Johnson was removed from an Uptown bar after attempting to re-enter through an exit gate. According to police reports, Johnson and a bar employee got into a fight, and OPD Officer Matthew Blauvelt arrived at the scene. According to police reports, Blauvelt punched Johnson three times and kneed him twice while attempting to subdue him.
On Dec. 24, OPD posted a statement to Facebook which said the original examination of the incident did not include the footage from the viral video.
Following the decision from the county prosecutor’s office not to charge the officer, the city hired two lawyers — Jonathan Hollingsworth of the Hollingsworth & Washington law firm and David Williamson of the Bieser, Greer & Landis law firm — to review the incident to determine if any policies were violated and why the security footage was not initially included as evidence.
Williamson said the investigation is still being conducted, and there is no timeline of when it will be concluded.
While the investigation continues, Johnson faces four criminal charges for assault, resisting arrest, underage possession and criminal trespassing. His trial is set for April 9 at the Butler County Area 1 Court.
