APD Investigates Whether Officers Used Excessive Force
Jim Burress / WABE News
The Atlanta Police Department says it’s opened an investigation into whether officers acted with excessive force when responding to a domestic violence call Monday.
It happened in the 1500 block of Hardee Street at the Edgewood Park Apartments.
According to police, some of the suspect’s family started yelling obscenities and, in Chief George Turner’s words, “became physical” during that suspect’s arrest. 
The situation quickly escalated, and police used batons and pepper spray to subdue the family members.
Cellphone video clearly shows police using force. Whether it’s justified force is what APD says is unclear.
“What we have to do is try to control the situation we that we’ve been called out to,” Chief Turner said Wednesday at a press conference.
But the day following the arrest, protestors held a rally at the complex. When patrol officers arrived on the scene, APD says some bystanders began to throw rocks, bricks, and even a hammer.
Officers retreated out of fear of their own safety, Turner says.
One person was arrested—someone with the group CopWatch, which follows and videotapes police to publicize any perceived excessive force.
What police hope to learn is what went wrong, and when.
Chief Turner says since Jan. 2012, APD responded 718 times Edgewood Court, meaning officers are familiar faces. But Chief Turner acknowledges there was something different about Monday’s call.
In the meantime, officer safety is a department concern.
“Clearly we will not move away from that community,” says Turner. “It’s our jobs to protect and serve those citizens. But we have to make sure that we secure and protect our officers as well.”
That means a sergeant and two officers will respond to future calls. And Turner says that could delay response time.
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