Georgia

Police: Officer investigated after handcuffed man kicked

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Wednesday, April 12, 2017 photo released by the Gwinnett County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office, Demetrius Bryan Hollins poses for a photograph after being arrested. A Georgia police officer is under investigation after authorities say he kicked Hollins in the head during a traffic stop in Lawrenceville, Ga., just outside Atlanta. The incident was captured on cellphone video by a witness stuck behind the stopped car and the police vehicle. The police statement says the video is "very disturbing and speaks for itself." (Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this undated Gwinnett County Police Department photo, Master Police Officer Robert McDonald poses for an official portrait. McDonald, has been terminated and is under investigation after authorities say he kicked a handcuffed Demetrius Bryan Hollins in the head during a traffic stop, according to the Police department. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this undated Gwinnett County Police Department photo, Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni poses for an official portrait. Gwinnett County police said in an emailed statement Thursday, April 13, 2017, that Bongiovanni was fired after a new video surfaced showing him hitting a man in the face. Earlier in the day, police announced that Master Police Officer Robert McDonald had been fired after video showed him kicking the same man in the head even though the man was handcuffed on the ground. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

A Georgia police officer is under investigation after authorities say he kicked a handcuffed man in the head.

Police in Gwinnett County, just outside Atlanta, said in a news release Thursday that the officer kicked the man after responding as backup to help a supervisor with a traffic stop in Lawrenceville around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

An ambulance then responded and treated the handcuffed man. Police say the officer's shift commander initiated an "immediate investigation." The officer was sent home on administrative leave and his department-issued gun was taken.

The incident was captured on cellphone video by a witness sitting in traffic. Police said the video is "very disturbing and speaks for itself." The officer's name was not immediately released.