An Arkansas police officer, Joseph Harris, has been fired after a video surfaced showing him allegedly beating a man who was handcuffed and detained in the back of a patrol car in Jonesboro. The incident was reported to the Jonesboro Police Department, which conducted an internal review and determined that Harris should be terminated immediately. The video shows Harris punching and elbowing the handcuffed man’s head multiple times, causing the man to become unresponsive. The man had told officers he had swallowed a bag of fentanyl and needed to go back to the hospital.
Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott stated that the FBI had opened a case regarding the incident. This is not the first time Harris has faced consequences for using excessive force, as he had previously received a suspension without pay and further training for a similar incident. Harris was also named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June.
The video of the incident has stirred controversy and led to Harris’ termination, highlighting the issue of police misconduct and excessive use of force. The Jonesboro Police Department’s decision to fire Harris shows a commitment to holding officers accountable for their actions. The FBI’s involvement in the case indicates the seriousness of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation.
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