BOZEMAN – A Bozeman police officer who wrote on his Facebook page that he thinks there should be a law allowing police to take people to jail for being “stupid” apologized Wednesday.
Cody Anderson said at a news conference that his postings “do not reflect an attitude or atmosphere within the Bozeman police department.” He also apologized for casting his fellow officers in a negative light.
The online profile came into question after Bozeman resident Matthew White filed a lawsuit against the city and several officers, including Anderson, saying his civil and constitutional rights were violated when he was wrongly arrested.
White was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer Feb. 14, when he closed an interior door to the foyer of his apartment when he saw a man there. The charges were later dropped. Police were at the building to arrest another man for failing to pay a fine.
The lawsuit, filed last week, claims Anderson entered White’s house without knocking and did not identify himself as an officer. It also says the officer’s “bravado and egotism” caused White severe emotional distress.
Deputy Police Chief Marty Kent declined to comment about the lawsuit during Wednesday’s news conference, and chose only to discuss the issues surrounding Anderson’s Facebook page.
He said Anderson would remain on the force but would be disciplined.
“We had an officer who made a decision in poor taste, it’s not a decision we support or condone,” he said. “We’re not proud of it and it’s done a lot of damage, frankly, and our number one priority is to try to regain the trust that’s been placed in jeopardy.”