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Phoenix police officer faces charge of assault Case arose during arrest of suspect in shoplifting By CHRIS BRISTOL A Phoenix police officer faces trial on accusations that he choked a handcuffed shoplifting suspect last year. The officer, Mike West, remains on active duty. West, 49, was arraigned March 12 on a citation for fourth-degree assault. A special prosecutor from the Josephine County district attorney's office is handling the case. A pre-trial hearing is set April 19. Details about the incident remain sketchy. The prosecutor, Stephen Campbell of Grants Pass, is on vacation this week and Phoenix police Chief Bob Kershaw did not return several calls. A spokesman for the the Oregon State Police, which investigated the incident, was reluctant to release information without permission from Campbell. However, a source familiar with the case alleged that West "throttled" a shoplifting suspect named Curtis Dean Jones. "It's a brutality thing," the source said. "The suspect lips off and he (West) just lost it." West's attorney, Laurance Parker, declined to comment, and West could not be reached for comment. Jones, 34, was arrested Oct. 26 and jailed by Phoenix police on charges of third-degree robbery and theft, fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest. A probable cause affidavit filed by officer B.J. Hyrst alleged that Jones stole a package of Sudafed cold tablets from Ray's Food Place and then scuffled with a clerk and store manager when they tried to stop him. Hyrst said Jones was arrested, handcuffed and taken to an unspecified office (presumably at the Phoenix police station) where he became agitated. "Curtis was repeatedly told to sit down," according to Hyrst's statement. "Officer West advised him to sit down. Curtis stood up and refused to sit down. We attempted to place Curtis in his seat. Curtis was placed in a seat. "Curtis was transported to RVMC for injuries. He was cleared. I transported him to Jackson County Jail, where he was lodged." The affidavit does not specify Jones' injuries. Jones was subsequently charged only with fourth-degree assault (for fighting with the store manager) and third-degree theft. He was released from jail on $500 bail and later missed several court dates. The security -- plus an unpaid balance of $4,500 -- has since been forfeited. He currently has a failure-to-appear warrant for his arrest. West was cited Feb. 23 for fourth-degree assault. After his arraignment March 12, he was processed by the jail and given a conditional release. Despite the charge, West apparently was not placed on administrative leave. An officer who answered the phone at the Phoenix police station Wednesday said West was still working. West is not the only local police officer who remains on patrol despite criminal allegations. Gold Hill police Chief Dave Crawford continues to patrol, despite his indictment last year on two counts of attempted coercion. An elderly couple has alleged that Crawford menaced them after a traffic altercation. His trial is scheduled April 22. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA