The police chief said “few” officers provided assistance before the medics arrived, and the mayor said he was “shocked” by the time it took for an officer to seek help.
Both pledge accountability as a result of a thorough investigation after dozens of research materials – including body camera video – were released by the department on Thursday.
Chief Thomas Quinlan said that while responding agents did not use lethal force, “few of them provided first aid to Mr. Hill while waiting for a doctor.”
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther echoed the chief’s sentiment in a statement saying, “I am shocked by the time that passed before an officer offered assistance to Mr. Hill.”
“Our agents are trained to provide potentially life-saving care, and at least comfort, in these situations,” he said.
Both say one of the core values of the Columbus Division of Police is “compassion,” and little to none of that was reflected, as the video shows.
Hill’s family and their lawyer said the camera footage of the body is further evidence that his death was “unnecessary and unjustifiable.”
Ginther said he has instructed the chief to “fully and thoroughly investigate the events of December 22 and hold to account all officers who failed to adhere to the division’s standards.”
“We are investigating to find out who has enforced the policies and standards of the Columbus Division of Police and who has not,” said Quinlan, noting a large number of video reviews and interviews are part of that process.
CNN reached out to Coy’s attorney on Thursday to comment on the criticism from the mayor and police chief.
Coy’s body camera did not record audio because he did not activate it until after recording. But a look back feature captured 60 seconds of video without audio before Coy turned on his camera.
Coy and the other officer had been sent on a trouble call for someone who was “constantly restarting a gray SUV” and ran into Hill in a garage. According to her interview, they had both drawn their guns and approached from opposite sides.
Coy asked Hill to leave the garage and Hill did not respond verbally but started walking out of the garage.
Hill’s left hand was holding a cell phone, but his right hand was “hidden behind his leg.” According to released records, Hill allegedly dropped his left hand before Coy shot him, but it’s not clear from Coy’s video that happened.
Quinlan said he recently tightened policies for body-worn cameras and a duty to provide first aid.
“As a police chief, and just like a human being, the events of the past week have left me shocked and heartbroken for Andre Hill’s family,” said Quinlan. ‘I will not tolerate a repeat of these failures. And where officers failed, they will be held accountable. ‘
Family criticizes police response after video is released
Attorney Ben Crump addressed reporters after the release of the camera footage, praising the city for its transparency efforts, but asked, “Where’s the humanity for Andre Hill?”
“What is Andre Hill’s crime?” Crump said. “Is it because he’s a black man, and for whatever reason, the police in America shoot first and ask questions later?”
His family also responded to the footage saying it was horrifying to watch.
“No one had any human emotion or sympathy for this dying man who is gasping for his last breath,” said Alvin Williams, Hill’s younger brother. ‘And then you hold him worse than a caged animal. Not just for Columbus, Ohio, I say this for all the police departments in this country. Your hunting season is over. ‘
The family also stressed that they want to work to make sure nothing like this happens again.
“We need change,” said Michelle Hairston. Because no one should be going through this. We shouldn’t go through this over and over again. Something has to happen.’
Crump also said Clarissa Hill, Andre Hill’s daughter, is interested in working on legislation to force officers to have their body cameras on or get fired.
The family described Hill as a nice man with a variety of interests, including playing chess, cooking and helping his family with projects around the house.
CNN’s Peter Nickeas and Sonia Moghe contributed to this report.