A Sheridan police officer has been found not guilty in an assault case involving an alleged shoplifting suspect.
Officer Shawn Ralph was acquitted Friday by an Arapahoe County jury of third-degree assault and attempted third-degree assault, according to a Sheridan Police Department news release.
On Sept. 3, 2021, Ralph allegedly used a chokehold on a shoplifting suspect, a woman, who spit in the officer’s face, according to an arrest affidavit. The incident happened in the 3400 block of South Federal Boulevard outside a 7-Eleven store.
The woman was in custody and handcuffed when she attempted to spit at a store staffer, the affidavit said. Instead, the suspect spit in Ralph’s face, who was between the woman and the staffer. Ralph then grabbed the suspect by the neck, forcing her head back and pushing her backward, taking her to the ground, according to the arrest affidavit.
With the acquittal, Ralph, who has been on administrative leave, will rejoin the department, according to the Friday news release. Sheridan police will now conduct an internal investigation into the incident.
“We are committed to providing the best training for our officers on how to properly respond and, more importantly, how to react to all situations they may be confronted with,” the release said.
