LANSING (WWJ) -- A court hearing is being held this morning for a Michigan State Police officer.
Trooper Parker Surbrook is facing a charge of felonious assault for allowing his K-9 to attack a suspect for nearly four minutes while he pleaded for help.
A judge will hear evidence and decide whether or not the case will be sent over to Ingham County Circuit Court for trial.
The incident happened last November following a police chase in Lansing.
Robert Gilliam claims Surbrook ordered the dog to attack him, even though he was not resisting.
Gilliam suffered serious injuries in the attack, which was captured on police cameras.
MSP says it became the aware of the incident in December of 2020 during a routine review. After a supervisor viewed a video of the attack, they filed a complaint with the department, and Surbrook was placed on leave.
“The Michigan State Police is an agency that prides itself in our troopers’ abilities to react with calm and confidence even in the most dangerous and harrowing of circumstances,” stated Col. Joe Gasper, director of MSP. “While the unfortunate reality for police officers is that use of force is sometimes a necessary action to ensure the protection of themselves or others, care and concern for human life should always be at the forefront of any police officer’s actions. This makes Trooper Surbrook’s disregard of the driver’s pleas for help totally unacceptable.”
Surbrook remains on unpaid suspension pending criminal investigation.
Related
