US: 3 Arkansas officers suspended after video captures beating

Three Arkansas legislation enforcement officers had been suspended Sunday following social media outrage over a video that reveals a suspect being held down on the bottom and overwhelmed.

Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante issued an announcement Sunday night, stating two county deputies can be suspended in the course of the course of the Arkansas state police’s investigation into the incident and the sheriff’s workplace’s inner investigation. A Mulberry police officer additionally was suspended.

“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 the officer concerned within the incident is on go away pending the end result of the investigation. “The city of Mulberry and the Mulberry police department takes these investigations very seriously,” Gregory mentioned.

According to police, a report indicated {that a} man was making threats to a comfort retailer worker in Mulberry on Sunday morning. Mulberry is situated about 137 miles (220.48 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock.

Police mentioned when the officers confronted the person, he pushed a deputy to the bottom and punched the again of his head, resulting in the arrest seen within the video. Three legislation enforcement officers are seen within the video. One might be seen punching the shoeless suspect with a clenched fist, whereas one other might be seen kneeing him, and a 3rd is holding him down.

The unidentified man was arrested and brought to an area hospital. He faces expenses of terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and different assault expenses, police mentioned.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson mentioned Sunday evening on Twitter that the “incident in Crawford County will be investigated pursuant to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney.”

No additional info was instantly accessible.