Three officers in Arkansas have been suspended after they were caught on video pummeling a man on the pavement.
Two Crawford County Deputies and a Mulberry Police officer were suspended after a video exposed a disturbing and violent arrest at a convenience store in Mulberry.
Around 10 a.m. on Sunday, authorities were notified that a man was making terroristic threats to a convenience store employee, according to Sheriff Jimmy Damante with the Crawford County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
KFSM-TV reported, "The suspect allegedly spit on the employee and threatened to 'cut off their face.'"
Sheriff Damante claimed that the conversation began calm, but escalated after the man attacked one of the deputies. He allegedly pushed the deputy to the ground and punched him in the head.
A bystander captured video of three police officers brutally beating the man – who was already on the ground. One of the officers is holding the man down on the ground while the other two cops are seen punching, kneeing, and kicking the man. One of the officers smashes the man's head on the pavement.
A female is heard screaming at the cops, "Stop beating the s**t out of him!"
One cop seems to say, "Back the f*** up."
Another officer points a finger.
The police stop roughing up the man, and the video abruptly ends.
The three officers were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Damante.
Arkansas State Police are investigating the incident. The Crawford County Sheriff's Office has launched an internal investigation.
Damante said on Facebook, "I hold all my employees accountable for their actions and will take appropriate measures in this matter."
The Mulberry Police Department issued a statement on the incident:
The City of Mulberry and the Mulberry Police Department is aware of the video circulating on social media involving one of our officers. The Arkansas State Police have been asked to investigate the incident. The officer is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The City of Mulberry and the Mulberry Police Department takes these investigations very seriously and holds all their officers accountable for their actions. We will take the appropriate actions at the conclusion of the investigation.
The video of the excessive use of force raised eyebrows among many of those who viewed it online, and there were numerous accusations of police brutality.
The name of the suspect has yet to be released.
He was reportedly booked into jail and then taken to a local hospital.
Sheriff Damante said the man faces charges of terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, 2nd-degree battery, trespassing, aggravated assault, and being in possession of an instrument of crime.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said, "I have spoken with Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police and the local arrest incident in Crawford County will be investigated pursuant to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney."
(WARNING: Graphic video)
\u201cCrawford sheriff dept Arkansas\u201d— Naomi Johnson (@Naomi Johnson) 1661110372
Federal authorities have launched a civil rights investigation into the death of a teenager shot more than a dozen times by police.
The shooting death of 17-year-old John Albers in Overland Park, Kansas, sparked national outcry in January 2018 and triggered accusations of excessive use of force.
Police were dispatched to Albers' home on Jan. 20, 2018, to perform a wellness check after they were alerted that he was threatening to hurt himself. The situation quickly escalated when the two officers arrived at the home.
One of the responding officers approached the home's garage door after it opened. That's when a minivan began backing out, allegedly toward one of the officers. The officer drew his firearm and ordered the vehicle to stop. The driver inside initially complied.
But then investigators say the driver suddenly accelerated, drove erratically in the neighborhood, then backed over the curb in front of the house and allegedly headed toward the officer. One police officer responded by firing 13 shots at the vehicle, ultimately killing the driver — who was Albers.
Following an investigation, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe announced the officer responsible for killing Albers would not face criminal charges because the shooting was justified under Kansas state law.
Albers' family ultimately received a $2.3 million settlement from Kansas City — but Albers' family, who believes John was a victim of excessive police force, is still seeking answers.
"It should have been we are terminating you and charges brought against him because he didn't follow the policy and used excessive force and cost my son his life," Albers' mom, Sheila, recently told WDAF-TV of the officer who killed her son.
According to KMBC-TV, the Overland Park Police Department has implemented significant policy changes since Albers' death, including how officers respond to mental health crises as well as adopting a policy that prohibits shooting at moving vehicles, with exceptions in rare circumstances, like an act of terrorism.
The Department of Justice revealed last week it has opened a civil rights investigation into Albers' untimely death.
"The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough, and impartial manner," FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton said.
The FBI's Kansas City field office, the U.S. attorney's office in Kansas, and the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division are jointly working on the investigation, NBC News reported.
Authorities did not specify which potential violations of Albers' civil rights they are investigating.
In response, Sheila told KMBC-TV, "I'm stunned. I'm completely stunned. My first thought was, 'Finally. Finally, there will be some transparency and there will be accountability.'"
Civil rights investigation launched into fatal shooting of Overland Park teen www.youtube.com
Mark Houck and Ryan-Marie Houck say in their legal filing obtained by The Federalist that their seven children live in constant terror as a result of the 'unnecessary' FBI raid.
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