Savannah Police address ‘selectively edited’ video of Congress St. arrest

by Brontë Sorotsky, Summer Swanson, WTOC Staff

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - An arrest video is going viral, where police slam a suspect to the ground, while already handcuffed.

The incident took place on West Congress Street in downtown Savannah over the weekend.

The Savannah Police Department said they are aware of a video circulating online.

“SPD is aware of a selectively edited video circulating involving a use of force while attempting to bring a suspect into custody,” wrote Savannah Police in a social media post.

Police say the suspect was involved in a fight on Congress Street, prior to the video clip.

SPD is aware of a selectively edited video circulating that involves an officer attempting a controlled takedown of a suspect. The incident in question occurred in the early morning of Aug. 24, in the 100 block of W. Congress St.
Prior to the video clip, the suspect was involved in a physical altercation that left another man with minor injuries. Officers arrested the suspect, who continued to struggle.
‘We remain committed to being a transparent and accountable Police Department, both in the support of our hard-working Police Officers and in holding them accountable if they fall below professional standards.’ said Lenny B. Gunther, Savannah Chief of Police. ‘We investigate all use of force incidents. The investigations provide a full picture of these encounters, which are typically more complex than when they first appear.’
Savannah Police Department

The video going viral on social media is only a little more than 30 seconds long, Savannah Police are now investigating this as a use of force incident.

WTOC obtained the video in question by the person who took it.

See video below:

Right away, you see a Savannah Police officer grabbing a handcuffed suspect’s neck and throwing them to the ground.

The suspect says to the officers “I’m literally in handcuffs.”

Officers then pull him up by his arms and place him in their car.

We’re still trying to confirm who the man is and the officers involved.

WTOC speaks with man behind the camera of viral arrest video

WTOC spoke with Jamari Chavis after he caught the incident on video.

“The police offer there that slammed him, let him know verbally. You know, like I’m going to F you up things like that, you know, so. That’s when I pulled out my phone because I knew that something was going to happen,” said Chavis.

He says force already occurred before he hit record.

“He had just slammed the boy into the into the police car. Like face first slammed him into the police car and then from there you see him where I started recording,” said Chavis.

Law enforcement analyst dissects viral arrest video

WTOC spoke with a law enforcement analyst, who, after seeing the video, says the short length makes it hard to know what really happened.

“He may have thrown a headbutt previous to the video being shown. He may have tried to bite the officer, spit at the officer, threaten the officer,” said law enforcement analyst, Cliff Lent. “Is it also possible that the police officer acted inappropriately and was vindictive and threw the subject down after he was controlled, subdued, and in handcuffs, which would be wrong. It’s possible, but the video is inconclusive and it does warrant a further investigation.”

‘These viral clips that we love so much don’t tell the full story’: Savannah mayor responds

Mayor Van Johnson also responded to the video, agreeing that it doesn’t show the whole story.

During his weekly news conference Monday morning, Mayor Van Johnson addressed the video.

He says it does not tell the whole story.

“It’s important to understand that these viral clips that we love so much don’t tell the full story. They just don’t. They show the most salacious, the most graphic parts of a story,” said Mayor Johnson.

The mayor went on to say the Savannah Police Department has body worn cameras and that officers are required to engage it when they engage with people. As well as write down reports regarding use of force.

He says there will be an investigation to determine what happened and then they will report the findings. This incident is being investigated in accordance with Savannah Police policy.

This comes nearly a week after another viral arrest video involving Savannah Police.