DCI explains officer involved shooting investigations after DMPD officer shot

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines police officer is in the hospital recovering after he was shot by friendly fire from another officer early Tuesday morning.

The Division of Criminal Investigations is doing an independent investigation into the shooting, and spoke about how officer-involved shooting investigations are conducted.

“It’s very important, I think, for the public to understand that this is the police department trying to be transparent, trying to be accountable to the community,” said Adam DeCamp, the special agent in charge, Major Crimes Unit at DCI. DeCamp said it’s pretty standard for officer involved shootings with the DMPD to have DCI called to conduct an independent investigation.

“The DCI is there to investigate the use of force to determine whether or not it falls within the Iowa code for lawful use of force by a law enforcement officer. So in this case, the use of force was pretty confined to one area,” said DeCamp. “But we will go back, will watch the body cam or watch the car cam. We’ll talk to people who maybe have called 911, reporting parties, things like that.”

DeCamp said that the officers were out doing their job, conducting routine patrol unit things when things went south. DCI will be using the body camera footage and witness accounts to put the pieces together.

DCI is continuing the investigation into the shooting incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.