CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Officer Ryan Speakman of the Circleville Police Department has been reinstated to his position and awarded $40,000 following a K9 attack incident that garnered national attention.
Under the terms of the agreement, Speakman will receive $40,000 from City Hall, tender his resignation effective July 25, 2023, have all records of his termination removed from his personnel file, acquire his K-9 partner, Serg for $1, and receive a neutral letter of recommendation from the city. Additionally, Speakman has agreed to withdraw a union grievance and refrain from suing the city or any representatives or employees.
The incident was first broken by the Guardian on July 4 during a highway pursuit involving truck driver Jadarrius Rose, who was attacked by a police dog despite attempting to surrender. Speakman, who released the dog, was subsequently terminated from the Circleville Police Department; the firing was not for the dog bite, which the city ruled was in compliance with all policies; but Speakman was fired for allegedly crying too much at work over the media attention the case garnered.
Bodycam footage released by the Highway Patrol captured the moment when Rose, unarmed and complying with troopers’ commands, was attacked by the police dog upon Speakman’s orders. The incident sparked outrage and prompted a review of excessive force by the Circleville Police Department.
Conflicting statements from the city initially suggested Speakman was cleared of wrongdoing before announcing a reexamination.
The incident drew widespread attention, with even the White House addressing the matter and the Black Lives Matter movement organizing a protest in Circleville. The Department of Justice acknowledged the incident, while Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called for additional police training in response.
Rose was charged with felony fleeing. It was later released that the cause for the traffic stop was a missing mudflap. The felony charge was later dismissed and a misdemeanor case was filed in Chillicothe Municipal Court, where a warrant stands for his arrest.
