Chattanooga police officer suspended for firing at car

Pictured is the moment that the suspect attempts to flee a routine traffic stop in Chattanooga, before heading into a dead end and reversing into the police cruiser in a successful escape. Police officer Alex Olson is under investigation for his actions during the chase.
Pictured is the moment that the suspect attempts to flee a routine traffic stop in Chattanooga, before heading into a dead end and reversing into the police cruiser in a successful escape. Police officer Alex Olson is under investigation for his actions during the chase.

Chattanooga Police Department Officer Alex Olson will be suspended for 30 days without pay for firing his weapon at a moving vehicle in October of last year.

On Wednesday, police Chief Fred Fletcher sustained a finding of "improper use of force -- discharge of a firearm," giving Olson the maximum suspension allowed by Chattanooga city code.

In a letter hand-delivered to Olson and distributed to media, Fletcher said the policy violation was sustained because he fired the shots after the other driver crashed into his patrol car and was leaving the scene.

"I do not believe you were facing an imminent threat to your life or another person at the time you used deadly force by firing at a fleeing vehicle," Fletcher writes. "It is my decision that at the point when deadly force was used, you were outside the adopted Use of Force Policy."

The shooting occurred on Oct. 5 after Olson saw a car blow through a stop sign.

Olson attempted to pull over the driver, Luster Deloney, 20, but Deloney fled, pulling into a dead-end road.

Olson's in-car camera recorded the entire incident. It shows him pull his vehicle behind the suspect's car and step out. Deloney then shifts his car into reverse and rams it into Olson's patrol car, and Olson fires four shots at Deloney's car as it drove away, tires squealing.

Olson has been on paid administrative leave since the incident, according to department policy. His suspension will begin today. Fletcher also is requiring him to attend training sessions about the proper use of force, and he must be seen by a licensed psychological professional before returning to the field.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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