An Atlanta police sergeant has been suspended without pay after a viral video showed him kick a woman in the head while she was handcuffed and on her stomach.
APD were called to a Summerhill apartment for a domestic incident between a woman and another resident. The woman who was detained on the concrete face down was kicked in the face by an officer after she spat on his boots and pants. Do you think excessive force was used? pic.twitter.com/DQNsUKA63F
— Atlanta Uncensored (@ATLUNCENSORED) July 26, 2021
From Atlanta Police: On July 26, 2021, at around 12:30 PM, officers were dispatched to a person armed call in the area of 35 Haygood Avenue. The caller advised a female was walking in the area and had pointed a gun at several people. Officers arrived on scene and were able to locate and detain the female. Officers became concerned with the female’s mental health and requested Grady EMS transport her to the hospital for evaluation. The female was not charged.
On July 26, 2021, Chief Bryant and commanders within the Atlanta Police Department became aware of a video, posted on social media, showing an Atlanta Police sergeant kicking a woman in her head. Upon reviewing the video, the actions of the sergeant appear to be unacceptable and we are also concerned with the apparent lack of reaction from another officer present during the incident. The decision was made to immediately relieve both employees from duty, with the sergeant placed on unpaid suspension and the officer placed on administrative assignment. The Atlanta Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS) was directed to open an investigation into the actions of all employees on-scene and their investigation is to be expedited.
The actions of those in the video appear to fall outside our standards and training. However, it is important for the Office of Professional Standards to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident. Chief Bryant will monitor the progress of this expedited investigation and review the findings to determine the proper course of action.
