An Arkansas police officer, Joseph Harris, has been terminated after video footage revealed him assaulting a handcuffed inmate in his patrol car. Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott took swift action, firing Harris on Friday after reviewing the video.
The footage shows Harris punching, elbowing, and slamming the car door on inmate Billy Lee Coram, who was being transported from a hospital back to jail.
The incident unfolded after Coram, who claimed to have ingested fentanyl, escaped from the hospital. Harris apprehended Coram and placed him in his patrol car. The video captures Coram attempting to choke himself with a seatbelt, prompting Harris to stop the car and violently subdue him.
Police Chief Elliott plans to refer the case to the local prosecutor and will request the state to decertify Harris as a police officer.
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He has also contacted the FBI regarding the incident, emphasizing that there is no need for further investigation as “wrong is wrong.”
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