FREDERICK, Colo. — A former Frederick Police Department officer faces criminal charges after an investigation found he hit a suspect with his gun in April, the Weld County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.
The Frederick Police Department said Officer Trevor McCourt was fired following an internal investigation that was completed last week.
Frederick Police said in a release that about 8:35 a.m. April 28, McCourt saw a vehicle without a license plate that was speeding and failed to come to a complete stop at the William Bailey Avenue and Majestic Street intersection stop sign.
McCourt initiated a traffic stop but the driver kept going and ran a traffic light at Majestic Street and Colorado Boulevard. After a short, low-speed pursuit, the driver stopped at McClure Avenue and Farmdale Street, where the road dead-ended, the release says.
The 35-year-old driver ran off, and officers found him hiding behind a trash can on Sumac Street, police said.
While trying to take the man into custody, McCourt hit him on the side of his head with the muzzle of his gun, causing him to fall to his knees. The man was placed into custody and taken to the hospital to be treated for a cut to the head. He was then taken to the Weld County Jail.
Officers at the scene reported McCourt's actions because they were concerned that he had used excessive force, according to the release. He was placed on administrative leave while Frederick Police conducted an internal investigation.
McCourt worked for the Frederick Police Department from September 2023 to June 2024. He was fired June 6 due to violations of department policy related to use of force and standards of conduct, according to the release.
The Weld County District Attorney's Office said on Tuesday, it filed the following charges against McCourt:
- Second-degree assault, a felony
- First-degree official misconduct, a misdemeanor
- Reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor
McCourt was taken into custody in Douglas County on Wednesday and posted bond.
He is due in court on June 28.
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