Three detention officers were arrested Monday and charged in relation to the alleged mistreatment of an inmate, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Officers Nelson Seals, Jean Bruno and Deborah Grier are accused of unnecessary use of force toward an inmate, untruthfulness during an investigation and violation of oath of office in the May 15 incident.
The internal investigation began after the sheriff's office got a letter from the inmate's attorney last Friday.
The inmate, whose name was not released by authorities, had been booked into the DeKalb County Jail on a disorderly conduct charge.
An argument between Seals and the inmate over restroom use became physical, the investigation determined. Seals is charged with misdemeanor simple battery and violation of oath of office.
Bruno and Grier witnessed the incident, did not intervene and did not properly report it to supervisors, the probe revealed. They are charged with violation of oath of office.
All three officers are suspended without pay, pending termination. Another unnamed officer also been suspended without pay. Additional arrests, suspensions and firings are possible, Sheriff Thomas Brown said.
“I will not tolerate abuse by any of my officers against any person that they are sworn to detain prior to or thereafter their day before a judge,” Brown said in a statement.
The investigation is continuing.
About the Author
