Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton has announced the termination of a Columbia police officer, following an incident in a holding cell. By Rehman Tungekar.
Captured surveillance footage of the August 15th incident showed three officers entering the cell, with one of them pushing the suspect against a wall. In making the announcement, Police Chief Ken Burton says the termination indicates a zero tolerance policy for any behavior that could undermine public trust in the Department.
It is and will remain my expectation that all Columbia police officers will treat every citizen they contact with dignity and respect, and when they must do so, use only the force necessary to achieve their lawful objectives.
An investigation into the other two officers involved is still pending. Chief Burton says the incident will likely prompt the department to take an overall assessment of how prisoners are handled, and identify imporvements that could be made.