Wichita police captain who shoved teen ref guilty of battery, disorderly conduct
A judge has found a Wichita police captain guilty of battery and disorderly conduct after shoving a teen referee in January.
Kevin Mears was first charged with the two misdemeanors in February and was placed on paid and then unpaid leave, after a video showed Mears rushing to a hurt player -- later identified as his son. When a referee tried to stand in the way, Mears then pushed the teenage referee to get to his son.
The charges each carry 30 day jail sentences, but a judge waived those sentences and placed Mears on 6 months non-reporting probation.
The judge said that Mears was acting out of love and concern for his son, but his actions were unlawful. He added that while Mears is guilty, the judge doesn't think that Mears' reputation should be damaged.
Mears remains on unpaid leave.
“It’s an unfortunate situation," the referee's father said. "We’re disappointed it had to come to a trial. An adult should never put their hands on a child or sports official. As a family we’re glad that it’s over and are ready to move on.”
Previous story from February 2018:
A Wichita police captain accused of shoving a teenage referee during a youth basketball game in Augusta has been charged with battery and disorderly conduct.
Augusta City Prosecutor Benjamin Winters on Monday announced the charges, both misdemeanors, against Kevin Mears. Following the incident, Mears was placed on paid leave and then unpaid leave.
The incident happened Saturday, January 13, at a game involving fifth and sixth grade students. The captain was off-duty at the time.
Video shows a hurt player on the court, and a man, identified as a Mears, rushes to the player. A teenage official appears to stand in the way, and Mears then allegedly pushes her out of the way to get to the player.
"I know the chief does expect on- and off-duty (officers) to be professional at all times," Officer Charley Davidson said.
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said last week that officers charged with crimes are no longer getting paid administrative leave.
The Wichita Police Department released the following statement:
"Wichita Police Department officials have been made aware of an incident during a basketball game in the City of Augusta that involves a department member. WPD will be reviewing the incident to determine if any department polices were violated. WPD officials do not have all the facts surrounding this incident at this time and cannot provide any further comment.”