Two weeks ago, when a Grand Rapids police officer fatally shot Da’Quain Johnson, a K9 was also present on the scene. In body and dash camera video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department, the dog appeared to be biting Johnson’s arm while its handler and another officer commanded Johnson to let go of a suspected firearm.
Johnson, who was on the ground, was shot in the back by one of these officers seconds later and a gun was recovered from Johnson’s body.
On Thursday, I spoke with a former K9 officer about the role and purpose of K9s and asked for his opinion on how one was used in the moments that preceded the 32-year-old’s death…