Westover at a glance
Population by race and Hispanic origin
Cities in this database with the most similarly-sized populations
Full-time law enforcement staff, Westover Police Department
This information is currently unavailable.Federal grant funding for Westover
We were unable to locate any federal grant funding for this location based on our standard search parameters. Learn more about the grant programs we are tracking.
Military equipment transfers
We were unable to locate any military equipment transfers for this location using the LESO Property Transferred to Participating Agencies database published by the Defense Logistics Agency. It is possible that this location has acquired military equipment for policing via other sources or programs.
Local police misconduct data, consent decrees, and settlements
Data last updated June 1, 2023
Settlements
We identified 2 publicly reported settlements that resulted in $1,100,000.00 in monetary compensation to victims.
| Year | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
In January 2021, William Cox filed a lawsuit against the Westover Police Department (WPD), alleging that officers used excessive force and falsely arrested him. The case was settled for $750,000. Cox alleged that he had been “kicked, punched, pepper-sprayed and falsely arrested by Westover officers,” because Cox was using his phone camera to record the officers. As a result of the beating, Cox sustained a facial fracture. Cox also claimed that the phone had been misplaced by the officers involved, but the interaction had still been caught on a nearby security camera, and two years later Cox’s phone was found in the WPD’s evidence room. The settlement is being paid by the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance, and there was no admission of liability by the City nor the officers involved. |
Compensation
$750,000.00 |
| 2022 |
In 2020, Andre Howton filed a lawsuit against Westover Police Department Chief Richard Panico and officers Aaron Dalton and Zachary Fecsko. The officers took Howton from his home and beat him in January 2019. The case was settled for $350,000 and paid for by the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance. On New Year's Day in 2019, officers Dalton and Fecsko came to Howton’s apartment, responding to a call. The officers and Howton got into a verbal disagreement, which led to officers removing Howton from the doorway. The officers proceeded to beat him, causing bone fractures and breaking three of his teeth. The officers then charged Howton for battery and three other charges, but the charges were eventually dropped. No liability is admitted from the City or police officers from the settlement. |
Compensation
$350,000.00 |