Former Wichita officer accused of slapping cuffed man in patrol car loses license
A former Wichita Police officer has been stripped of his law enforcement certification in connection with a May 2021 incident in which he was accused of slapping a handcuffed, detained man in the back of a police vehicle.
Andrew Barnett was employed by the Wichita Police Department from July 5, 2016, to Feb. 5, 2022, and Feb. 16, 2022, to Sep. 5, 2023, according to a summary order of revocation from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.
A number associated with Barnett did not respond to a phone call or text message seeking comment on the revocation.
The summary order gave this account:
On May 14, 2021, officers were involved in a vehicle chase with a man. The pursuit ended and the suspect was arrested, handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car.
The man, from Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested on alleged drug-and traffic-related offenses, the Eagle reported.
The patrol car that the suspect was placed in was being driven by Barnett and another officer. While the officers were away from the vehicle, they heard the engine revving and turned to see the suspect in the driver’s seat of the patrol car.
The man was removed and placed in the back seat again. Barnett’s partner was sitting in the passenger seat while Barnett opened the back door to speak to the suspect.
At some point, the officer heard what sounded like a smacking noise, felt the vehicle jerk and heard the suspect yell “did you just slap me?.”
Barnett told investigators that he opened the door to the patrol car after the scuffle to ask the man “what was he thinking” and “used his hands to move” the man’s face because he thought the man was about to spit on him, according to an affidavit released in 2022.
The man denied Barnett’s statement and said he didn’t know why Barnett smacked him. The interaction was not captured on police body camera and other officers interviewed described Barnett as angry and “hot headed,” the affidavit said.
Barnett was charged with one count of battery in January 2022, but it was later dropped by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, citing availability issues with a key witness.
Barnett pleaded not guilty to the charge.
DA Marc Bennett said his office made the decision to dismiss the case because a “necessary witness is not available” but said he would consider pursuing it again later.
Contributing: Amy Renee Leiker of The Wichita Eagle