Gettysburg won’t say much about police officer under investigation
This screenshot shows 28-year-old Derek Twyman in his car during a May police stop in Gettysburg as Gettysburg Borough Police Officer Christopher Folster aims his Taser at him.
(Gettysburg) — A midstate police officer who’s under investigation for using excessive force has been on the job for more than 10 years and is making more than $60,000 this year.
But the borough of Gettysburg won’t release much more information about Officer Christopher Folster.
WITF’s Right to Know request asked for Folster’s disciplinary records, any reports filed where he used force, and any complaints made against him.
The borough rejected much of it, saying state law doesn’t require it to release the records.
The request came after body camera footage showed Officer Folster using a Taser on a Gettysburg man who was sitting in his car during a traffic stop.
In his police report, Folster accused Derek Twyman of fighting him, and charged him with resisting arrest.
A jury later found Twyman not guilty in the case, after the body camera video and his report didn’t match up.
A civil-rights attorney in Mechanicsburg also says he plans to file a federal lawsuit early next year, alleging Folster used excessive force.
Meanwhile, WITF plans to appeal Gettysburg’s decision to withhold Folster’s records.
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
