Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Metro Police officer fired after beating caught on tape

A Las Vegas police officer has been fired after an internal investigation found he violated several department policies during a March beating that was caught on tape.

Officer Derek Colling’s employment was terminated by Sheriff Doug Gillespie, effective today, officials said. Colling had been on paid administrative leave.

Videographer Mitchell Crooks was in his driveway videotaping police on March 20 as they investigated a burglary report across the street.

Crooks says Colling, 37, arrested and beat him when he refused to stop filming.

Video of the altercation went viral online.

An internal investigation concluded in July that Colling broke rules in the confrontation.

Police declined Tuesday to provide additional information, citing privacy issues.

Colling joined Metro in February 2006. He was assigned to the Southeast Area Command.

In a separate incident in September 2009, Colling fatally shot 15-year-old Tanner Chamberlain, who police say was holding a knife to his mother’s neck when officers arrived at an apartment complex near Nellis Boulevard.

A Clark County coroner’s inquest in November 2009 ruled the fatal shooting justified.

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