Sammie Lawrence Arrest In Boulder: Independent Review Released

BOULDER, CO — An independent review has backed the Boulder Police Department's decision not to initiate an internal affairs investigation of the Sammie Lawrence arrest. Lawrence was filming police while they interacted with homeless people in April, and Boulder police officer Waylon Lolotai placed him under arrest.

The independent review, which was requested by Boulder City Council, was conducted by former U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and two consultants with Bluestone Investigative and Risk Solutions. The consultants, Michael Rankin and Robert Evans, were both former FBI special agents and assistant special-agents-in-charge.

Lolotai responded to a 911 call April 5 that reported homeless people were smoking marijuana, littering and disturbing people near 30th Street and Mapleton Avenue, according to The Denver Post. Lolotai turned on his body camera and began speaking with several homeless people who were sitting by a concession building.

Lawrence then began filming the interaction, and was holding a large wooden staff in his hand. Lolotai asked Lawrence several times to step back or put the staff down, and the officer warned Lawrence that he would be arrested if he didn't comply, according to the City of Boulder. Two officers then arrived at the scene, and one of them asked Lawrence to move back.

Lolotai then went to put Lawrence in handcuffs, and he kept pulling away and resisting, until the officer tackled him to the ground.

According to a video posted to YouTube, Lawrence used the staff to help with his seizures.

The Boulder Police Department reviewed the video footage and determined on April 8 that Lolotai's conduct didn't violate police procedures.

"The body camera videos reveal that the officer had probable cause to arrest Mr. Lawrence and that the use of force was reasonable and appropriate," the City of Boulder said in a statement. "The Boulder Police Department made an objective and dispassionate review of the known facts before making a decision."

Boulder police policy allows officers to make an arrest if someone "offers defensive resistance."

Lawrence was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer, and is scheduled to appear in court in September.