COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A police officer who subdued a restrained suspect in a way that appeared to show him kicking the suspect in the head has been fired.
The city’s public safety director announced the decision Monday in the case of officer Zachary Rosen. The ruling by Ned Pettus Jr. overrode a recommendation by Columbus police Chief Kim Jacobs that Rosen be suspended for 24 hours, amounting to three shifts.
A video taken April 8 shows a Columbus officer restraining a prone man and preparing to handcuff him when a second officer arrives and appears to kick him in the head.
Police have said the second officer, identified as Rosen, reported his action under standard police procedure for when force is used.
“The strike/stomp was an untrained technique and was found to be unreasonable,” police said in May following a report by a deputy chief.
Mayor Andy Ginther said he supports the decision.