Indianapolis police are investigating officers' conduct during a weekend chase that left a suspect with puncture wounds from a police dog's bites.
An internal affairs investigation was launched this week after the arrest of Brian Street, 26, following a 10-minute chase through city streets late Saturday. At issue is whether the police German shepherd was allowed to bite Street after he had surrendered.
Police have a video of the incident but won't say what's on it. The investigation was initiated by a police supervisor who saw the video. The specific officers who are being questioned were not identified, although the dog's handler was listed on a report as Patrolman Charles Lewis.
Indianapolis Police Department East District Deputy Chief Darryl Pierce would only say Tuesday: "It's being investigated, and nobody is being disciplined" yet.
IPD spokesman Lt. Paul Ciesielski said investigators are trying to determine if the use of the police dog was "appropriate and necessary."
Street was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital for treatment of bites to the left forearm. He was back in the Marion County Jail on Tuesday with a thick, white bandage covering several red puncture wounds.
A police report released Tuesday provided details of the chase but excludes any information about the confrontation. Police declined to elaborate, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Street, a convicted felon with a long criminal history, said in an interview that he will own up to the six criminal charges he faces, which include felony drug charges and reckless driving. Marijuana was also found in a spare tire in the Ford.
But Street said he wants police to apologize for how they behaved.
"I want justice to be served, just like they want justice to be served," said Street, a construction worker.
He said that at the end of the chase, he got out of his 1995 Ford sedan in the 3500 block of North Temple Avenue -- his front tires had been flattened during the pursuit -- and immediately dropped to the pavement, putting his face in a puddle of water.
Street said he watched an officer approach with the dog and release the animal, which then bit him and held on for at least 15 seconds.
The suspect claims he drove to that address as police tried to stop him because his mother and girlfriend lived there.
"I wanted to have witnesses out there in case anything like this did happen, because I've seen it happen before," he said.
IPD officers average about 250 pursuits per year, and officials point out that the vast majority are done according to IPD policy.
Police dogs are typically used as a tool to subdue fleeing suspects. Pierce watched the squad car tape of the incident and initiated the investigation.
Pierce hopes no one rushes to judgment and pointed out that Street ran from police.
"I always point out the person that chooses to flee from the police makes that choice."
Patrolman Steven Brinker attempted to stop Street around 11:30 p.m. Saturday while on patrol in the 3700 block of North Sherman Drive. Brinker said Street's license plate was not visible.
But Street turned his Ford west on 36th Street, heading toward oncoming traffic before turning into a woman's yard at 3501 N. Rural Ave. and doing a U-turn.
Police said Street also disregarded stop signs and traffic signals, driving along Sutherland Avenue without headlights on and at a high rate of speed. His front tires were punctured by tire-deflating devices, and he finally came to a halt near 35th Street and North Temple Avenue.
Call Star reporter Tom Spalding at 1-317-444-2761.
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