Little Rock, AR (DMN) – A police officer in Arkansas has been dismissed from his position after a video surfaced showing him assaulting a handcuffed inmate inside his patrol car. The police chief has stated that he will be forwarding the case to prosecutors for further action.
Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott terminated Officer Joseph Harris on Friday. This action was taken in response to a video that captured Harris engaging in physical violence towards an inmate during a transfer from a hospital to the county jail.
Elliott examined the video footage in response to a complaint from the County Sheriff’s Office regarding the incident. The department also shared the video on its YouTube page and publicly announced the officer’s termination.
“I was just shocked and appalled by (Harris’) actions,” Elliott told The Associated Press on Monday. “Based on that conduct, I’m not going to have it and I’m not going put up with it, and immediately terminated him.”
No phone number was provided for Harris, who had been employed by the department for the last five years.
In a video that lasts about 12 minutes, Billy Lee Coram, an inmate, can be seen in the back of a patrol car. He is wearing a hospital gown and appears to be choking himself with a seatbelt wrapped around his neck, all while the car is in motion.
Once the car comes to a stop, Harris swiftly exits the vehicle and delivers a series of forceful blows to Coram’s face while loosening the belt.
Harris forcefully shuts the car door, accidentally hitting Coram’s head. Elliott expressed uncertainty about the injuries Coram suffered as a result of the assault. Coram was detained at the Craighead County jail on Monday for charges related to escape and had outstanding warrants from other states.
Coram was transported to the hospital after informing jail staff that he had consumed fentanyl and managed to flee from the medical facility. Harris apprehended Coram and placed him in his patrol vehicle.
No response was received from the jail on Monday afternoon, and there was no information available regarding Coram’s court date or attorney.
Elliott mentioned that he plans to forward the case to the local prosecutor and is currently preparing the necessary paperwork to be sent in the near future. The county prosecutor did not respond to a call on Monday.
Elliott mentioned that he reached out to the FBI’s Little Rock office regarding the incident and intends to request the state to revoke Harris’ certification as a police officer.
“Wrong is wrong. There’s not really anything to investigate,” he said.
Harris was suspended two years ago due to his use of excessive force. Additionally, he is currently facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June regarding an inmate who passed away in the Craighead County jail this year.
Source: The Associated Press