A Dayton police officer was fired from the force for neglect of duty, insubordination and conduct unbecoming an officer because he disobeyed orders by pursuing a vehicle last summer.
Officer Karim Hassan was fired at the close of business on Dec. 16, according to documents recently obtained by the newspaper. That was after a four-month long internal affairs investigation (IA) into a pursuit that happened Aug. 2 on the city’s east side.
During the review, Hassan told investigators he began following the car on Wyoming Street after reportedly witnessing it almost strike a pedestrian waiting at an RTA bus stop. However, radio traffic and Hassan’s cruiser cam didn’t capture that incident, and the officer never told dispatchers about the near-strike. The officer told dispatchers the car was “flying in traffic,” and he was “not chasing him,” although cruiser cam video showed him following the car, and speeding up several times to close the gap between them.
Radio traffic, which was included in the internal review, includes a dispatch from Hassan’s supervisor, Sgt. Daniel Williger. Upon listening to Hassan’s dispatches, which never indicate that the vehicle was involved in a felony crime, per department pursuit policies, Williger ordered Hassan not to pursue the vehicle.
“If you don’t have a description, just pull over and let it go,” Williger said.
“I did, sir,” Hassan replied. However, cruiser cam video showed Hassan was still chasing the car through traffic, and the two vehicles ran several stop signs and traffic lights. At one point, Hassan’s cruiser reached 73 mph while pursuing the car — all after he was told not to chase it, and after he told the sergeant he wasn’t in pursuit of the vehicle, according to the IA report.
On Carlisle Avenue, the suspect opened his car door, and Hassan radioed dispatch and said he had “one running.” A few moments later, a man bailed out of the driver door and ran away on foot. Hassan then told dispatchers, “he has a gun in his hand,” and the officer can be heard running after him. Another sergeant requests a signal 99, indicating an officer is in trouble, and other officers respond to the scene. However, the suspect wasn’t located.
During the IA investigation, Hassan said he felt he complied with Williger’s order, and was not chasing the vehicle but “keeping a close eye” on it. In addition to chasing the vehicle after being told not to, Hassan also failed to file a report on the incident, and place a hold on the suspect vehicle — all violations of department policy, according to the report.
In connection with Hassan’s termination, Asst. Chief Robert Chabali said, “we stand by the report,” and did not offer other comment. Hassan could not be reached for comment. To date, he has not filed an appeal to his termination.
He is the second officer to be fired by Dayton police in 2014.
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