Louisville's police chief is launching an investigation into the arrest of a man left swollen and in a neck brace after an altercation with an officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department Sunday afternoon.
After reviewing body camera footage, LMPD Police Chief Steve Conrad has launched an investigation led by LMPD's Professional Standards Unit. The investigation will attempt to determine if any departmental policies were violated.
The video captured an incident that took place at the Kroger at the intersection of South 27th Street and West Broadway. It appears to show officers dragging 32-year-old Jarrus Ransom to the ground and punching him several times.
According to an arrest report, Ransom was acting suspicious and allowed police to search his car just after 2 p.m. on Sunday. That's when police say they noticed liquid on his pants, found an open Pepsi can in the SUV and emptied it onto the ground.
Officers say three pills fell out of the can and Ransom broke from the officer's grip, rammed his shoulder into another officer and destroyed two of the pills.
Police say they were able to restrain him and get the remaining pill.
As he was handcuffed and sitting on the ground, officers say he once again tried to escape to destroy the last pill.
After watching the video, some in the community are demanding answers.
"I am concerned about people's reactions," said Sadiqa Reynolds, spokeswoman for the Louisville Urban League. "I am hopeful that the chief will do something to help us understand more clearly why certain choices were made, because it is very difficult at this point to defend what is shown in the videos."
Ransom is charged with possession of drugs, tampering with evidence, and resisting arrest.