Civil Rights Attorney Devon M. Jacob, counsel for Debra L. Williams and Steven E. Landis, today issued the following statement in response to an announcement by Springettsbury Township Police Chief Thomas Hyers that he was placing Officers Chad R. Moyer, Gregory T. Hadfield, and William Polizzotto, Jr., on administrative duty:
“On behalf of my clients, I commend Chief Hyers for taking this action and for initiating an investigation into his officers’ troubling and violent conduct. However, York County District Attorney Thomas Kearney knew this video evidence existed during the criminal discovery process, yet he did not prosecute these officers. Therefore, the detectives in District Attorney Kearney’s office cannot credibly conduct an independent investigation. If the Township and York County truly intend to regain the public’s trust, then District Attorney Kearney should refer this matter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane for a true independent investigation.”