ALL NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: SLC police chief and former chief address shooting of teen with autism

Sep 10, 2020, 12:05 PM | Updated: Sep 14, 2020, 11:11 am

Cameron shooting...

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2020 file photo, Salt Lake City police Chief Mike Brown speaks as Mayor Erin Mendenhall listens during a news conference on Aug. 3, 2020, in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Police Department vowed Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, to cooperate with multiple investigations of the shooting of a 13-year-old autistic boy by officers in the Salt Lake City area. The Salt Lake City Police Department said the officers were called to a home in Glendale, Utah, Friday night, Sept. 4 with a report of a boy who had threatened people with a weapon. The boy reportedly ran and was shot by an officer after being pursued by police. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly a week after the police shooting that wounded a 13-year-old Salt Lake City boy with autism, we are hearing for the first time from Salt Lake City’s police chief about the case.

But at the same time, the city’s former police chief is denouncing transparency within the department. 

Both men spoke Thursday on KSL NewsRadio’s Dave & Dujanovic. 

Above: listen to our interviews with both Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown and former chief Chris Burbank

What we know about what happened

 teen with autism police shooting slc

Linden Cameren, 13, continues to recover after a police shooting in Salt Lake City. Photo: the Barton Family

The mother of 13-year-old Linden Cameren, Golda Barton, tells KSL TV she called police Friday night to ask for an officer trained for situations involving mental health to help because her son was having trouble. He has autism and Asperger’s syndrome, she said. 

Barton wasn’t at home at the time. She started driving toward her home, near 500 S. Navajo St. in the Glendale neighborhood, and called 911 from the car. 

“I explained to them he’s upset. He’s having an episode, he needs to go to the hospital,” said Barton. 

According to Salt Lake City police, when they got the call, they were asked to respond to a report of a “juvenile” having a “violent psychological issue.” Police have said when they came into contact with Cameren, he ran. 

Barton did not see what happened, but she could hear it. 

“I heard the guns and the yelling and the guns, and then I sat there in my car for what felt like a long time and I was waiting for someone to walk over to me because I didn’t know what just happened,” Barton said.

Police have not released how many rounds were fired or how many hit the teen.

Cameren continues to recover at Primary Children’s Hospital.  

Chief promises transparency 

Police Chief Mike Brown could not confirm the sequence of events in an interview with Dave & Dujanovic on KSL NewsRadio, pointing to three separate investigations both inside and outside the Salt Lake City Police Department that will determine the facts. 

When pressed about transparency with the use of force, Brown said while he couldn’t offer more details yet, the department would release video from the shooting of the teen within 10 business days. 

“I think that’s a big step in transparency, and then following that, as these investigations unfold, we will — we will inform the public as to the findings, and we hope that this goes very swiftly,” Brown said. 

Sharp criticism from former chief in shooting of teen with autism

Chris Burbank, a former Salt Lake City police chief, disagreed that the department is now being transparent. 

“This is the mistake that’s being made across the country time and time again,” Burbank said. “The nation has stood up and said, ‘We have a problem and we need to discuss this.’ And the response from policing locally and across the nation is, ‘Well, we’re going to talk about it and investigate it, and then we’ll tell you about it later.’ That is not satisfactory. If we cannot respond as a police agency to a 13-year-old child who has autism without shooting him — I don’t know if we should be in this business.” 

Burbank continued, “I’m tired of having this discussion. It is time to change the rules, change how we do business and change how we investigate this. Give the public some information about what is taking place. It does not sacrifice the outcome by any means. At least stand up and say, ‘We’re sorry that this happens!'” 

Brown did express regret and sorrow about the shooting. 

“This is a tragic, tragic event. Anytime a person in our community encounters our officers and an incident like this unfolds, it hurts our community. It tears at the fabric of our community,” Brown said on KSL NewsRadio. “It’s hard. This is very difficult right now.” 

A larger conversation is needed

Burbank believes the investigation of any use-of-force incident must begin far before an officer pulls the trigger. 

“The top of the wish list is, you need to change the criteria by which officers use deadly force,” Burbank said. “…We need to talk about the totality of the circumstances, not just that two or five seconds when the trigger is pulled. What led up to that? Why are we even there in the first place?” 

Burbank stressed the issues are not those of the police alone. 

“I’m not necessarily condemning the police alone. Right? We make that mistake. This system that we have in place, this law enforcement system throughout the nation, functions exactly as we put in place. It’s society. So it is time for all of us to change what the expectation of law enforcement is, and hopefully change the outcome,” Burbank said. 

Police officers to receive more de-escalation training

Brown spoke about de-escalation training within his department, especially in light of new policies that affect use of force in Salt Lake City. 

“We have been practicing de-escalation for quite some time. With the new order, with these new policies, we’re talking about a lot of things that will help us in that situation. We’re talking about tactics that precede the use of force, de-escalation, the duty to intervene,” Brown said. “If we see — if an officer is doing something that is escalating or not helping to resolve the situation or calm it down, other officers have a duty to step in and try to resolve that as — as best they can.”

The department announced some of those changes on Saturday, the day after the shooting of the teen with autism.  

“Everything we’re trying to do with these new policies is to help us not be in a situation where we have to use deadly force,” Brown said. 

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.

Listen on Google Play Music

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

49 minutes ago

A bus carrying Easter worshippers fell off a cliff, killing 45 people in the Mamatlakala mountain p...

Amy Cassidy, CNN

Bus carrying Easter worshippers falls off cliff killing 45 people in South Africa

An eight-year-old girl who survived the bus crash in South Africa has been airlifted to hospital according to local media.

57 minutes ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

1 hour ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged for confronting snowboarder with shotgun

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

2 hours ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

5 hours ago

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

EXCLUSIVE: SLC police chief and former chief address shooting of teen with autism