Madison police exonerated Officer Matt Kenny Wednesday, absolving the officer of any wrongdoing in the death of Tony Robinson and clearing the way for him to return to the police force.
Kenny complied with the department's use of deadly force policy, according to a Wednesday Madison Police Department statement signed by MPD Chief Mike Koval.
The use of deadly force applies when "an officer reasonably believes a lesser degree of force would be insufficient," said Lt. Cory Nelson, who oversaw the internal investigation.
MPD Chief Mike Koval said in a Wednesday press conference Kenny was lawful and within department policy to enter the house Robinson was in before the incident, despite claims from critics saying Kenny was told to wait for backup.
“I don’t know where people are getting this from,” Koval noted. “Nobody will resign or retire as a result of this investigation.”
The decision follows an earlier announcement last month by Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, who said Kenny would not be criminally charged.
“We are pleased that both the internal investigation and the criminal investigation concluded that Officer Kenny’s actions were appropriate, lawful and in accordance with the rules governing his conduct,” Jim Palmer, Kenny’s attorney and the executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said in a Wednesday statement.
The WPPA and MPD will both help transition Kenny back into policing “in a way that delicately balances the sensitivities of the community,” Palmer explained in an interview.
Kenny will meet with a trauma specialist and other officials and serve in a training role before patrolling, according to Koval. There is no timetable for when Kenny’s training will be completed.
“We have to make sure Kenny is cleared physically and mentally to be working with the police force,” Palmer said. “Our long-term goal is to get him patrolling again, but that is down the road, and we don’t know for sure how long it’ll take before he can fully participate.”
This story is ongoing and will be updated once more information becomes available.
Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny has been exonerated by MPD's internal investigation in Tony Robinson incident. pic.twitter.com/zLpaGaDzBK
— Negassi Tesfamichael (@_NegassiT) June 3, 2015
