San Jose Cop Expelled from K9 Unit: In a recent development, San Jose police officer Michael Jeffrey has been removed from the K-9 unit due to a violation of the department’s use-of-force policy. The revelation came to light through a court document filed in a federal civil lawsuit against the department.
Civil rights attorney Izaak Schwaiger disclosed that Jeffrey, during a deposition, confirmed his removal from the canine unit and a loss of ten hours’ pay stemming from a 2021 dog bite incident. Although both the K-9 unit and Internal Affairs deemed the bite within policy, higher-ranking officials overrode this determination.
The incident, details of which remain undisclosed due to an ongoing investigation, led to Jeffrey’s disciplinary action, including being expelled from the unit and the retirement of his police dog. This revelation comes amid ongoing litigation, including Schwaiger’s representation of Anthony Paredes, who suffered severe injuries in a previous dog bite incident involving Jeffrey.
The interconnectedness of these cases underscores concerns about the department’s use-of-force review policy, prompting calls for increased scrutiny and reform. Despite the city’s efforts to keep records sealed, a US District Judge denied the motion, citing public interest in transparency surrounding police use of force resulting in serious injury.
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