SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — The City of South Fulton police has asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to look into an use of force case involving one of its officers.
The incident happened Friday at 3 p.m. following a traffic accident off Roosevelt Highway. The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the GBI investigates.
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In a video posted on social media, Marcus Coleman approached an officer sitting in his patrol car and asked why no one was directing traffic after the accident.
The officer could be seen rolling up his window and not responding. As Coleman continued to film, the officer got out of his car a few moments later and approached him.
The two exchanged words about the traffic situation with the officer asking Coleman to return to his car.
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Coleman continued to film saying he was out there as a concerned citizen and that he would contact South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows. He started to walk away back to his car.
The video then shows the officer walking up and slapping the camera away and taking the man to the ground.
“The city does not condone and will not tolerate excessive use of force by our officers in any case. In fact, we provide de-escalation and other innovative training for all of our officers to prevent such incidents. In addition, the city has adopted several legislative measures, including the 21st Century Policing tenets developed at the direction of President Barack Obama,” the department said in a statement. “While our policies and procedures are clearly defined, we remain vigilant and flexible, taking any opportunity – such as this case – as a teachable moment to review and adjust those policies where needed.”
*Warning: The video contains language.*
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