Alabama Police Leave Force as Brutality Charges Hurled
February 8, 2002 Montgomery, Alabama - Times Headlines,
Associated Press. MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Five Montgomery police
officers have resigned and three have been put on unpaid leave following
allegations of police brutality, officials said Thursday.
An internal police investigation was begun Monday after an officer
fought with a juvenile suspect he was transporting. City officials said
the probe has uncovered questionable police conduct dating back several
months.
Seven of the officers are white and all the victims are black, said
Larry Armstead, assistant to Mayor Bobby
Bright. "Obviously . . . that's something that concerns me," Armstead
said. The officers are accused of abusing
their positions of authority, mistreating citizens and falsely reporting
incidents. Specifics of the allegations were
not released, pending completion of the probe.
Officer Michael Clark, 32, who resigned Wednesday, has been charged
with criminal use of Mace after
scuffling with a 17-year-old prisoner he was transporting. Police said
an argument prompted Clark to stop the
car and a shoving match ensued.
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