Police involved in Hall shooting are back to light-duty work - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(08/02/12) - One month ago, a Saginaw man was shot and killed by police.

As the investigation continues, we've learned the police officers involved in the shooting have returned to work.

The officers have been on paid administrative leave since the shooting of Milton Hall on July 1.

While the officers are back to work, they are not on the street on regular patrols.

Law enforcement officials say this is common for officers involved in a shooting to return to work while the investigation continues. They also say the city had to bring the officers back to reduce overtime.

It was last week when we told you investigative subpoenas have been issued in the Milton Hall shooting case. Six Saginaw Police Officers fired a number of shots at Hall in the parking lot of a shopping center. Police say he made threatening motions toward officers while he was holding a knife. The state Attorney General's office is assisting with those investigative subpoenas. 

Saginaw County Prosecutor Mike Thomas is looking at whether the shooting was justified or if excessive force was used.  The 49 year old Hall had been petitioned 12 times for psychiatric care and was held in jail in solitary confinement for six months on a assault charge, before being released on May 15, despite concerns from the District Court Judge Terry Clark and others that Hall should have been held for more psychiatric treatment.

While the investigations continue, ABC12 News has learned the six officers are once again working, although they are not on the street. Assistant City Manager Phil Ludos confirms they are doing light duty within the department, helping with paperwork and assisting detectives on several homicide investigations. Ludos says overtime costs are hurting the city, in part because the police department has had several retirements and has not filled other positions. Ludos says that's why the on-leave officers were brought back in a reduced capacity.   

We spoke with Pastor Robert Davis of the Christ Fellowship Baptist Church.  

He is one of several pastors who is asking for transparency in the shooting investigation, and when told the officers were back to light-duty work, he said he would like to reserve judgment at this time on whether or not its appropriate for them to return.