COLUMBUS – An internal investigation into the use of force by officers making an arrest could take week, according to a statement released Tuesday by Chief Kim Jacobs.
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW: A message from Chief Kim Jacobs regarding a recent use of force case that generated a lot of social media attention pic.twitter.com/7bYgLFBnkp
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 13, 2017
At issue is the Sept. 1 arrest of Timothy Davis inside a Columbus convenience store where officers tried to arrest him on a warrant alleging he assaulted an officer last year. Video shows officers struggling to subdue Davis and eventually punching and kicking him.
Protesters brought their concerns to Columbus City Council Monday where they called for the firing of officers involved in the incident.
Jacobs says the officers immediately informed their supervisor of the use of force and an investigation began even before a citizen complaint was filed.
In a statement posted on the police division’s Twitter feed, Jacobs says the investigation has been turned over to the Internal Affairs unit and, because of the number of officers involved, is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Police spokesman Sgt. Dean Worthington said use of force depends on a suspect’s behavior and police policy does allow for punching and kicking.
Jacobs says any actions deemed to be outside the division’s use-of-force policy will “result in corrective action.”