Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 18, 2006 12:55:23 GMT -5
04/18/2006 - PEARL, Miss. -- Two Pearl police officers have resigned following an investigation into allegations of prisoner abuse.
The allegations stem from the arrest of Daniel Barber, 18, during a traffic stop on Feb. 12.
Pearl Police Chief Bill Slade confirmed that officer Jason Ball and another unidentified officer have left the department over the incident.
Back in February, Darrell Smith said he saw Ball bump his head on a police car bumper while trying to subdue and arrest Barber during a traffic stop.
But Smith had a problem with what Ball did after Barber was in custody.
“Two police was on him and the officer that cut himself, came from the back of the car and started kicking him. He kicked him about 10 times in the head … just stomped him,” said Smith.
“We received a complaint, investigated it, done our investigation involving the matter and as a result the two officers are no longer here … they resigned,” said Slade.
Slade said while the two officers have left the department and currently face no charges for their conduct, Barber faces seven charges including marijuana possession, resisting arrest and assault on two officers.
Slade said he wants the public to know that his department has high standards regarding conduct.
“We have good officers. We have standards … we want our officers to do. We don't want them abused by the public. We don't want them abused by someone they're trying to arrest. At the same time we have a job to do and each situation is different, but we want our officers to conduct themselves in a professional manner. That's what we expect, that's what the taxpayers demand,” said Slade.
Barber is currently free on bond. His court date is scheduled May 4. Neither Barber nor his attorney could be reached for comment on Monday.
The allegations stem from the arrest of Daniel Barber, 18, during a traffic stop on Feb. 12.
Pearl Police Chief Bill Slade confirmed that officer Jason Ball and another unidentified officer have left the department over the incident.
Back in February, Darrell Smith said he saw Ball bump his head on a police car bumper while trying to subdue and arrest Barber during a traffic stop.
But Smith had a problem with what Ball did after Barber was in custody.
“Two police was on him and the officer that cut himself, came from the back of the car and started kicking him. He kicked him about 10 times in the head … just stomped him,” said Smith.
“We received a complaint, investigated it, done our investigation involving the matter and as a result the two officers are no longer here … they resigned,” said Slade.
Slade said while the two officers have left the department and currently face no charges for their conduct, Barber faces seven charges including marijuana possession, resisting arrest and assault on two officers.
Slade said he wants the public to know that his department has high standards regarding conduct.
“We have good officers. We have standards … we want our officers to do. We don't want them abused by the public. We don't want them abused by someone they're trying to arrest. At the same time we have a job to do and each situation is different, but we want our officers to conduct themselves in a professional manner. That's what we expect, that's what the taxpayers demand,” said Slade.
Barber is currently free on bond. His court date is scheduled May 4. Neither Barber nor his attorney could be reached for comment on Monday.