Spokane Police doing an investigation
SPOKANE VALLEY - Spokane County Sheriff Nowels was made aware of allegations of excessive use of force by Sergeant Clay Hilton on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
The following day Hilton was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
“Allegations of misconduct by law enforcement are very concerning to our community and myself. That is why I immediately asked the Spokane Police Department to investigate the actions of the Sergeant independently,” Nowels said in a press release. “I trust the Spokane Police Department to conduct a thorough, complete, and unbiased investigation into the Sergeant’s actions and this incident. All reports and body-worn camera video have been turned over, and we will continue to cooperate with investigators. An internal investigation will be conducted following the completion of the independent investigation, which is standard policy.”
“I want to assure the public we serve that this investigation will be complete, and that the rights of all individuals involved will be protected.” Nowels added.
The Spokane Police Department has been asked to conduct an independent investigation into an incident that happened on August 14.
According to reports, Kevin Hinton, 62, was on his way home after visiting family in Medford, Oregon.
Hinton, from Colfax got tired after driving for 11 hours when he decided to stop and rest near Terrace View Park in Spokane Valley according to his lawyer Tim Note.
Records show Hinton had parked outside of the gate of the park, and about an hour later was approached by Sgt. Hilton.
According to property records, Sgt. Hilton’s residence is directly across the street from where the incident happened.
Reports show Hilton suggested Hinton was committing a crime by being in the park after dark, and Hinton’s attorney argues his client was not in violation of any law.
According to Note, Spokane Valley law states that sitting at a park after hours is only a class three infraction holding a maximum penalty of a $50 fine. No arrests could even be made for such a small infraction he said.
Note also questions whether his client was actually in the park, as Hinton was not inside the fence line.
Body camera footage captured the incident, and shows Hinton offered to move his car to a different location.
Hilton immediately shut him down and said Hinton could not leave, and asked him to provide identification. Hinton refused, and the situation continued escalating.
In the recording, Sgt. Hilton is heard telling Hinton he isn’t free to leave.
“Why are you putting your shoes on,” Hilton asked Hinton. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“Why is that sir?” Hinton responded.
“Because you’re refusing to tell me who you are,” Hilton replied. “And you’re probably going to end up going to jail.”
“Oh, for not giving you my name,” Hinton said. “Then you have at it.”
Then Hilton asked Hinton to stand up, and video shows he complied.
Hilton also told Hinton to turn and face the car, but the video shows the Sgt. grabbed Hinton by the collar before he could turn around.
“Don’t put your hands on me pal,” Hinton said in the recording.
“You are going to get hurt,” Hilton then said.
Bodycam footage then shows Hilton immediately resorting to forcefully trying to take Hinton to the ground where he was punched and kicked multiple times.
Rather than attempting to de-escalate the situation, Hilton went for the opposite approach according to attorney Tim Note.
The video also shows that Sgt. Hilton was not initially wearing gloves, but at some point put them on as the situation escalated.
Reports show that after being struck multiple times, Hinton can be heard asking why he was hit, and Hilton said, “because you weren’t listening.”
According to Hinton’s attorney, the victim sustained eight broken ribs, some with multiple breaks. He also had some ribs that were dislocated from his sternum and a punctured lung.
Hinton is continuing to get treated and expects his bill may exceed $100,000 by the time treatment is over.
Reports show Hinton will also need dental work because he had teeth knocked out as well.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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