Savannah officer suspended after viral arrest video sparks lawsuit
A viral arrest video from downtown Savannah has led to a lawsuit and an internal police investigation.
(CNN)- A viral arrest video from downtown Savannah has led to a lawsuit and an internal police investigation after footage appeared to show an officer shoving a woman to the ground during an arrest.
The incident happened in March and involves Savannah resident Niquaysia Chisholm.
Video obtained by local media shows Chisholm, wearing a white shirt, standing with a group of women while one of their friends was being detained by police.
According to the footage, another officer was arresting the woman for alleged public intoxication when Chisholm and another woman questioned the situation.
Attorney Roland Mumford, who is representing Chisholm, argues officers never warned his client she was obstructing police activity or instructed her to move away from the scene.
“You never hear that officer tell my client that she’s committing obstruction, never tell her to step away,” Mumford said.
The video shows Chisholm telling her friend to calm down before a brief interaction with Savannah police officer Jacob Spohn.
Moments later, Spohn appears to push Chisholm to the ground while shouting, “Do not hit me,” before continuing to argue with others nearby.
Mumford says the officer’s actions were excessive and unnecessary.
“Even if some level of force was needed, why not just say, ‘Ma’am, step back’?” Mumford said. “Why did he have to shove her to the ground like that?”
Following the incident, Chisholm filed a formal complaint against the officer.
In a statement released Monday night, Lenny Gunther confirmed Officer Spohn has been suspended without pay while the Savannah Police Department conducts an internal investigation.
“When our officers fall short of expectations, we take that seriously and we act,” part of the statement read.
Van Johnson also addressed the controversy, acknowledging the difficult situations officers face while emphasizing accountability.
“They are working in very difficult, fast-moving, fluid situations, but they are still held to a high standard,” Johnson said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
