MONROE, Ga. — A Monroe, Georgia police officer has been suspended from the department without pay after an internal investigation found his actions during an arrest were in violation of the department's code of conduct.
It's related to a Saturday incident at the Monroe Estates town home community.
According to a spokesperson with the City of Monroe Police Department, someone there called Walton County 911 around 11:30 that night to report several people and vehicles blocking the roads of the complex during a party.
When officers got there, police said they tried to disperse the crowd of people and get them out of the roadways and back to their homes.
It was during the officers' efforts, police said, that five individuals were arrested for acting disorderly. Among them was Ivan Tory. During the arrest, police said Tory got into a dispute with the officer. It escalated to the point that the officer - who hasn't yet been named - pulled out his taser and used it on Tory.
Video shared on Facebook showed the officer approach Tory as he sits in a folding chair, then the officer deploy his taser as he stands above the man. The officer then yanks Tory from out of the chair and onto the ground, and tries to handcuff him.
Someone tries to intervene, but the officer can be heard shouting, "Get the f*** back."
The officer can then be seen kneeling on Tory's upper back as he tries to handcuff him. The officer then yanks him up from the ground and then walks him away.
"They really did my husband wrong please help me spread the word!!!" the post reads. "Tased him til [sic] he was completely passed out ... then tased me for trying to save him!!!"
In a statement from the department, police explained "the officer was seen on several videos released on social media apprehending the subject that was tased, but also violating the department’s code of conduct due to his manner with other citizens."
In a statement, Monroe Police Department Chief R.V. Watts said he saw a "serious policy violation" to the department's code of conduct.
"We at the Monroe Police Department understand the importance and need to build and strengthen relationships in our community between law enforcement and our citizens," Watts said. "The actions of this officer in this incident did not reflect that and in fact brought a negative image toward himself and the agency."
Watts said the department is still investigating and reviewing "every aspect" of the incident. Meanwhile, the department confirmed the officer in question was suspended without pay while the investigation is completed. He will also have to complete remedial and corrective training.
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