Casper Police Chief: Injured Officer Remains On Administrative Leave [VIDEO]
Casper Police Chief Keith McPheeters said Officer Jacob Carlson, who was critically injured in a shooting May 6, will remain on administrative leave and not be required to return to work.
McPheeters was responding to criticism indicating the city, and he as chief, were pressuring Carlson to return to work even though his doctors said he will be totally disabled for the next year.
McPheeters wrote Carlson last week that he must report to work by Monday for a 10-hour-a-day, 40-hour-a-week, but not do any work contrary to what his doctors say.
On Sunday, Carlson obtained the letter from his mailbox at the police department.
The city and McPheeters backtracked from that position after receiving medical information from Carlson's doctors on Monday that he could return to work only on a limited basis.
McPheeters said Tuesday afternoon that after talking with Carlson, and in the belief that his release was imminent, he realized he had not fully communicated with him and he would keep him on administrative leave.
"This release from administrative leave was drafted while awaiting what was perceived to be a forthcoming release from modified duty, which release was later received by the City of Casper yesterday," he said.
"He will remain on administrative leave until such time as that release takes effect. Currently, Officer Carlson has not yet been released to limited duty status. As such, Officer Carlson remains on administrative leave."
On May 6, two officers went to the area of Fairdale Park for a report of a man driving with two children in a vacant lot. When they spoke to him, he drew a gun and shot at them. Officers responded and killed David Wolosin.
Carlson was gravely injured in the shooting, and was released from the Wyoming Medical Center a month later.
The DCI and the Natrona County District Attorney's Office investigated the case and cleared Carlson and the other officer.