MULBERRY, Ark. Social media fury over video showing two Arkansas deputies striking an under-arrest suspect led to three Arkansas law enforcement officers being suspended on Sunday.
Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante made a statement on Sunday night confirming that two deputies from the county would be suspended while the Arkansas State Police investigates the incident. Also, the internal investigation by the sheriff’s department will continue. Another Mulberry officer was also suspended.
” I hold my employees responsible for their actions, and will take the appropriate steps in this matter,” Damante stated.
In a statement, Mulberry Police Chief Shannon Gregory stated that the officer in question is currently on leave while the investigation continues.
” The city of Mulberry, and the Mulberry police force take these investigations seriously,” Gregory stated.
According to police, an anonymous report stated that an individual threatened Mulberry’s convenience store worker on Sunday morning. Mulberry can be found about 137 miles north of Little Rock.
Police stated that the suspect pushed an officer to the ground, punched his back and attempted to ram the deputy. This led to the video of the arrest. The video shows the officers grabbing the man with their fists and sometimes pushing him to the ground.
The unidentified male was taken into custody and taken to the local hospital. According to police, he faces terroristic threats, resisting arrest, and other assault charges.
No further information was available immediately.
