CODY, Wyo. - A Cody police officer will keep his badge following a high-stakes hearing over a viral video that sparked national outrage, showing him aggressively yanking a teenage driver from his car during a traffic stop on the teen's way to school.
Wyoming's Peace Officer Standards and Training Board — the agency that certifies and trains police officers — held the hearing on Tuesday. Members said Officer Blake Stinson undermined public trust. But before the board could move to strip his certification, the Wyoming attorney general stepped in and argued Stinson should stay on the job.
"Madam chairman, I will move that the commission reject the proposed recommendation decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings and find that the evidence did not establish by clear and conclusive evidence a violation," Attorney General Keith Kautz said.
In the end, Stinson was cited for a code of conduct violation and ordered to complete additional training.
The decision comes roughly 3 years after concerns were first raised about a possible pattern of excessive force.
RELATED Q2 COVERAGE:
Wyoming police officer back on duty following investigation of traffic stop
Internal investigation into Cody officer's conduct led by assisting officer
Cody mom demands firing of officer after body cam video shows teen son forcibly removed from car
Cody police officer placed on paid leave after incident at traffic stop
