Investigator: No Excessive Force Used At Alabama Christian Heavy Metal Concert

October 21, 2005

Brock Parker of WTVM News Leader 9 is reporting that two Lanett, Alabama police officers accused of brutalizing teenagers at at a Christian heavy metal concert on September 3 were back on the job Friday night.

A group of teenagers allege the officers beat some people outside the Breaker Box in Lanett after they were arrested. However, an independent investigation has cleared them of any wrongdoing. Some felt this confrontation was police brutality, but an independent investigation says officers didn't use excessive force.

"For the past several weeks, they've been on administrative leave while we've proceeded with the investigation. I was able yesterday to notify them that they go back to work starting tonight," said Chief Ron Docimo.

Witnesses told News Leader 9 the officers handcuffed a teenager, threw him into a telephone pole and beat him to get him into the patrol car.

"It [the video] clearly shows that he wasn't handcuffed. It shows that he's got one arm on top of the door frame, and the other arm on top of the door itself to prevent from being put in the car," said Docimo.

Investigators used the home video, and video from the patrol car to help decide the case. Docimo said his officers showed no signs of aggression and were calm while arresting a total of six people. The chief said the patrol car video showed what the home video didn't.

"They record conversations inside the cars. That allows us to hear what's going on inside the car," he said.

In one of the patrol videos, one person is heard saying, "I'm in the band."

The officer responds, "You're still in the band. Right now, you're under arrest."

Among the six people arrested were some adults. They will be on trial next month for the incident. There has also been a complaint filed with the Department of Justice. Docimo says when the FBI opens their investigation into the matter, they will fully cooperate.

For more information, read this article from Valley Times-News.

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