The city of Lithonia is investigating an excessive force complaint against its police chief, according to multiple media reports.
City Manager Eddie Moody, a former DeKalb County police chief, said his office received a use of force complaint that named current Lithonia police Chief Roosevelt Smith, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Moody said he is conducting an internal investigation based on a complaint made by Isaiah Harvey, 17, who was arrested Feb. 5 for burglary.
Harvey ran from police when they arrived at the burglarized home and escaped into a woodline, according to 11Alive. Police set up a perimeter and quickly found and arrested him.
The attorney hired to represent Harvey, Frank Smith, told 11Alive that after Harvey was placed in the chief’s patrol car, the chief turned Harvey’s head to assess scratches obtained while fleeing through the woods.
“When Mr. Harvey turned his head in an unsatisfactory manner, Chief Smith quickly, and without provocation, became enraged, leaned over in his seat and made punching movements at the face of Mr. Harvey before grabbing him by the lower chin/jaw and squeezing tightly,” according to the statement of facts filed by Smith.
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