Raleigh Police Detective Fired After Wake Forest Arrest on Multiple Assault Charges
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — A Raleigh Police detective has been fired following an early-morning incident at a Wake Forest restaurant that ended with his arrest on multiple charges, including allegations that he assaulted a restaurant manager and a Wake County emergency medical technician.
Christopher Andre Reed, 32, of Raleigh, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 6, after Wake Forest Police responded to a report of an intoxicated individual at Carolina Ale House on Northpark Drive.
Raleigh Police later announced that Reed, who was off duty at the time of the incident, had been terminated from the department.
Police: Disruptive Behavior Led Manager to Ask Reed to Leave
According to Wake Forest Police, officers were dispatched to the Carolina Ale House at 11685 Northpark Drive shortly after 2:15 a.m.
Police said the restaurant manager had asked Reed to leave several minutes earlier because of alleged disruptive behavior that included bothering employees and patrons.
As Reed was leaving the restaurant, police allege he attempted to strike two patrons in separate incidents before assaulting the restaurant manager.
Reed Found Walking Along Capital Boulevard
Wake Forest officers later located Reed walking along Capital Boulevard/US 1.
Police said Reed had suffered cuts and abrasions while attempting to jump a barbed-wire fence.
According to the department, Reed refused to comply with an officer’s instructions and subsequently assaulted a Wake County emergency medical technician.
Wake Forest Police charged Reed with:
- Assault causing physical injury to emergency personnel
- Resisting a public officer
- Intoxicated and disruptive
- Disorderly conduct
- Simple assault
- Assault of a government official
Reed was transported to the Wake County Detention Center.
Raleigh Police Terminate Reed Following Arrest
The Raleigh Police Department separately identified Reed as a former detective and confirmed that he was off duty when the incident occurred.
The department announced following his arrest that Reed had been terminated.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said department employees are expected to meet high standards both while working and away from the job.
“Members of the Raleigh Police Department are held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, both on and off duty.”
Boyce said the department must respond “swiftly, transparently, and appropriately” when those standards are not met in order to maintain public trust.
He also cautioned against judging the entire department based on the alleged actions of one employee.
“The actions of one employee do not define the Raleigh Police Department or the dedicated men and women who serve this community every day.”
Internal Affairs Review Planned
Raleigh Police said the criminal allegations against Reed will proceed through the judicial process. The department also plans to conduct an internal affairs review into the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Boyce emphasized that Reed, like anyone facing criminal charges, is entitled to have the allegations reviewed and adjudicated through the courts.
Case Moves to Judicial Process
Reed’s arrest comes with serious allegations, but the charges remain accusations at this stage. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The criminal case will now move through the judicial process while Raleigh Police conducts its own review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.