Two Laurel Police Department officers were fired this week due to police brutality.
Last week at a traffic stop, a vehicle turned around before the stop and led officers on a chase. 36 year-old James Barnett, the driver of the vehicle, said officers repeatedly kicked him in the face when he pulled over.
The individual was arrested and transported back to Laurel for medical treatment, where he said officers continued to harm him. It soon became apparent to the supervisors on duty that there was a problem with the manner in which the arrest occurred. It is the policy of LPD that all use of force events are reviewed by several levels of supervisors and administration and an internal investigation was ordered.
The IA report was completed and was reviewed by LPD administration and Mayor Magee. As a result of the investigation, two LPD Officers were terminated from their positions.
LPD Administration also met with Jones County District Attorney Tony Buckley about the incident. Mr. Buckley recused himself from the incident citing jurisdictional and familiarity issues. LPD has been in contact with the MBI in reference to an outside investigation into the possible criminality of the incident and will cooperate fully with them. The Officers and Administration of LPD takes these types of allegations very seriously.
