MONROE, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News talked exclusively with a woman about her police brutality claim against the Monroe Police Department.
She said an officer pushed her to the sidewalk during a disorderly conduct arrest. She showed her bruises to Channel 2's Investigative Reporter Mark Winne.
One of the victim's lawyers said when it looked like something might be developing with Monroe police outside a Walmart, she got on the phone to the chief law enforcement officer in Walton County, the sheriff, and was trying to talk to him when the incident happened.
Amber Maughon said she's outraged she faces disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges after an encounter with Monroe police in March. She said she was also outraged at what happened to her face after she said she was slammed face first into the concrete by Monroe City Police Officer Brian Mathews.
"There was no reason to ever have been treated this way," Maughon said. "There's no excuse. No woman should ever be treated the way I was treated. [Did you resist?] No."
Monroe Police Chief Keith Glass said legal action precludes him from going into detail.
"I'd like to be able to share more with you but at this time, there's just not a lot I can tell you," Glass said.
An incident report statement from Matthews suggested Maughon snatched her arms away from the other officer and flailed. The report continued "the subject continued to resist, so at this time we took her to the ground to gain control of her."
"They wanted to flex their muscle and they did," said Maughon's attorney Mike Puglise.
"It could be your mother, your sister, your daughter any number of people. And that's frightening," said Maughon's attorney Mike Jones.
Lawyers for Maughon have now put the city on notice of a potential claim. Puglise said Mathews had already been fired by another department and that records show in 2008 Mathews consented to 12 months' probation of his peace officer certification and a reprimand.
"He's been a good officer for us," Glass said.
"They have duty to hire only quality, qualified individuals," Puglise said.
"When we're doing the hiring process, we take every possible step we can to make sure that we properly vetted," Glass said.
Puglis said the city has offered a small amount of money.
"At this point they have offered us a small amount of money and also a dismissal of all charges against Ms. Maughon," Puglise said.
Puglise said the story needs to be told.
The chief said Mathews has been a good officer for them.
Channel 2 reached out through a police official to Mathews, the chief said he'd like to talk, but due to the criminal portion being pending and possible civil actions he can't.