MULBERRY, Ark. (AP) — Three Arkansas legislation enforcement officers have been suspended and a state police investigation launched after a video posted on social media confirmed a suspect being held down on the bottom and overwhelmed by police.
Arkansas State Police mentioned Sunday night time that it might examine the usage of pressure by the officers earlier within the day outdoors a comfort retailer in Mulberry, about 140 miles northwest of Little Rock.
Two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies and one Mulberry police officer had been suspended Sunday, metropolis and county authorities mentioned. The officers had been responding to a report of a person making threats outdoors the comfort retailer, authorities mentioned.
State police recognized the person as Randall Worcester, 27, of Goose Creek, South Carolina. The video posted on-line reveals one officer punching Worcester with a clenched fist, whereas one other could be seen kneeing him, and a 3rd is holding him down.
Worcester was taken to a hospital for therapy Sunday then launched and booked within the Van Buren County jail on a number of prices, together with second-degree battery, resisting arrest and terroristic threatening, state police mentioned.
Authorities haven’t launched the names of the three officers who had been seen on the video. Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante mentioned Sunday that the 2 deputies had been suspended pending an investigation.
“I hold all my employees accountable for their actions and will take appropriate measures in this matter,” Damante mentioned.
In an announcement launched Sunday night, Mulberry Police Chief Shannon Gregory mentioned town officer concerned within the incident is on depart pending the end result of the investigation.
“The city of Mulberry and the Mulberry police department takes these investigations very seriously,” Gregory mentioned.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson mentioned Sunday night time on Twitter that the “incident in Crawford County will be investigated pursuant to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney.”
I’ve spoken with Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police and the native arrest incident in Crawford County can be investigated pursuant to the video proof and the request of the prosecuting legal professional.
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) August 22, 2022
Source: www.bostonherald.com”