Dyersburg Police officer fired, accused of assault during arrest
DYERSBURG, Tenn. — A West Tennessee police officer has been fired.
Dyersburg Police Department: Ozment sworn-in August 2021
According to the Dyersburg Police Department, a review was launched into the actions of Officer David Ozment during an arrest at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg on September 30.
The department says that body camera footage and the official police report that Ozment submitted was reviewed.
Dyersburg Police Chief Steve Isbell shared that during the incident, Ozment violated multiple policies and allegedly committed several criminal offenses, including assault, fabrication of government records, official misconduct, and official oppression.
Isbell stated that the department turned the findings of their review over to District Attorney General Danny Goodman, which resulted in the case being presented to the Dyer County Grand Jury.
According to Isbell, Ozment was placed on suspension on December 5, and he was officially terminated effective December 14.
Records available online indicate that Ozment was booked into the Dyer County Jail on Thursday afternoon and later released.
See the full information shared by the Dyersburg Police Department below:
“The Dyersburg Police Department launched a review into the actions of Dyersburg Police Officer David Ozment, following the arrest of an individual on September 30th, at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg. Per departmental policy, reviews are conducted on all response to resistance/use of force incidents. The review included the body worn camera footage of the arrest, and the official police report submitted by Ozment. The DPD turned the findings of their review over to District Attorney General Danny Goodman, which resulted in the case being presented to the Dyer County Grand Jury by the DPD.”
“The Dyersburg Police Department is represented by professional and dedicated law enforcement officers that serve the citizens of the City of Dyersburg by performing law enforcement functions. Our Code of Ethics clearly state that our fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; to aid all persons in the performance of our duties; to be courteous and kind to all people in the performance of our duties; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice. This officer not only violated multiple policies; he is alleged to have violated criminal offenses to include fabricating government records, official misconduct, official oppression, and assault. The total lack of compassion and dignity toward the victim in this case is reprehensible. The actions of this one officer does not reflect who we are and what we do. The DPD is committed to providing professional law enforcement maintaining the highest of standards. Ozment was placed on suspension December 5, after the initial review and investigation was completed. Ozment was terminated effective December 14th, 2023. All other inquiries should be directed to District Attorney General Danny Goodman.”
Steve Isbell
Chief of Police
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