Atlanta Police Sgt. Marc Theodule, left, and Officer Bridget Citizen.Photo: Atlanta Police Department (2)
Two Atlanta police officers have been pulled off duty after video posted to social media shows one of them kicking a handcuffed woman on the ground in the head.
According to Atlanta police, the incident on Monday began after officers were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. following a report of an armed individual.
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A caller had “advised a female was walking in the area and had pointed a gun at several people,” police said in anews release.
It continued: “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.”
The statement added: “Officers recovered an unloaded handgun during the incident and turned it over to a family member of the female, for safe keeping.”
The woman was not identified. PEOPLE was not immediately able to contact either of the officers.
“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,” said the statement.
Both officers were “immediately” relieved of their duties, with the sergeant placed on unpaid suspension and the officer put on administrative assignment, according to the statement.
The department’s Office of Professional Standards also was directed to open an “expedited” investigation into the actions of those officers on the scene.
“The actions of those in the video appear to fall outside our standards and training,” the department said in its statement. “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.”
source: people.com
