Complaint spurs Hinesburg police to update disabilities policies

Nicole Higgins DeSmet
Burlington Free Press

Hinesburg Police Department has agreed to update their policies to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, following a complaint stemming from an incident in May 2016.

Shown in this police body-cam video, Hineburg Police Officer Cameron Coltharp holds down Lori Carron after responding to her home May 6.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Vermont announced in a statement on Wednesday the completion of a compliance review of the Hinesburg Police Department following a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court against officers Cameron Coltharp and Jeremy Hulshof.

Lori Ann Carron alleged the officers used "excessive force" when responding to a mental health call and caused her "serious physical, emotional and psychological injuries," according to court documents. 

RELATED: Hinesburg settles lawsuit alleging excessive force 

Charges against the officers were cleared in November 2016. Coltharp and Hulshof testified that they "acted in good faith and with probable cause and/or reasonable suspicion."

As a result of the ADA review which began in January, "the department will receive "additional training on interacting with individuals with mental health disabilities and consider whether additional changes to its practices are appropriate," the U.S. Attorney's Office statement said. 

"We are pleased with the collaboration process," attorney's office spokesman Kraig LaPorte said on Wednesday.

Contributing: Staff reporter Elizabeth Murray

Contact Nicole Higgins DeSmet at ndesmet@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1845. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHDeSmet.