Two officers suspended after citizen’s complaint of excessive force

SANDERSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Sandersville police officers are suspended with pay and pending investigation by the GBI after a citizen’s complaint of excessive force.

24 year-old Desiree Bennett of South Carolina says those two officers were initially called for a disturbance after she and a had friend got into an argument.

When they arrived they were told they were no longer needed and left. It was when they returned that things escalated.

She says the two officer’s man handled her, slammed her to the ground, hit her in the face with a flash light and pulled her by her dread locks during the wee hours of the morning on October 11th.

Bennett told her story Tuesday night in front of a group of concerned residents who say they’re not happy–especially with only a few months since the death of Eurie Martin–a man killed while in custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

“The way it seems they’re taking their badges and abusing them. The badges are supposed to be on them to protect people–not take their badge and use it for a shield that they have the right to go around and beat people or arrest people,” said SCLC member Charles White.

Sandersville Police Chief Victor Cuyler says the department respects their relationship with community members and want that respect to remain.

That’s why he made the call to the GBI to do an investigation. The GBI’s Special Agent Scott Whitley says they’re nearing the end of the investigation and will turn their findings over to the DA’s office in Washington County.

The District Attorney will decide whether it was it was excessive force.