ComPol Williams Saves ‘Dr. Sutherland’ From Unreasonable Charge 

Last week, Harrison Sutherland, also known as “Dr. Sutherland,” was slapped with an unusual charge. He was arrested for carrying a water bottle in a way that allegedly hindered his control of his bicycle.

The 34-year-old said that he was helping an elderly woman by transporting her water. Following public outcry, Police Commissioner Chester Williams announced on his Facebook that the charge would be withdrawn.

But does he possess the power to do so? When we asked him what power enables him to withdraw a criminal charge, he said, “I guess you’re listening to some stupid person on Facebook. I’m not going to answer that question.”

According to Williams, the charge did not take into account everyday situations such as transporting water or grocery bags.

“We have to look at even in the absence of the good gesture that Mr. Sutherland was performing…to arrest a person for carrying a five-gallon water on a bicycle. It’s not reasonable, and I think as police officers we have to apply best judgement.”

Williams told reporters that bicycles are a primary mode of transportation for many people, and the law is meant to address issues like dangerous loads that impede traffic, such as large furniture or lumber, not water bottles or grocery bags.

Although instructions were given for the charges to be dropped, a $200 bail was set for Sutherland. Williams clarified that the bail is not paid in money but rather a signed commitment.