Atlanta, Georgia police Sergeant Marc Theodule was fired on August 2, after a department investigation was held following a video that went viral on social media showing him kicking a woman in the head as she was handcuffed.
A press release by the Atlanta Police Department said, “Based on a review of all the facts, it was determined Sgt. Marc Theodule’s actions violated department policy, and he acted outside of APD standards and training.”
Theodule’s partner, Bridget Citizen, was placed on administrative duty after the incident and has now returned to work with no consequences because she did not violate the department’s policy of failing to intervene and stop the police brutality.
“Our expectation is that employees intervene in ongoing active situations; in this case, the kick occurred one time and then ceased,” APD added.
In addition, Citizen was the person responsible for alerting authorities of the incident.
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“I want our officers and the public to know that I do not take terminating employees lightly. But I also understand that the Atlanta Police Department must be held to the highest standards, and with that comes accountability when departmental policy is violated,” the department said.
As previously reported by NewsOnyx, on July 26, the department was made aware of a video that went viral, which a bystander took. It showed Thedoule kicking a woman on her head, later identified as Ashley Cooley, handcuffed and laying on the ground while Citizen stood and watched.
At the time, Cooley was suspected of possessing a gun that didn’t belong to her.
Citizen was the initial responding officer, and Theodule arrived after Cooley requested for a supervisor on the scene, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Following the incident, Theodule was placed on suspension by the department while Citizen was on administrative duty.
Theodule has not been criminally charged for the police brutality; however, Cooley can still file a civil suit against him.
