FERNDALE, Mich. – A former Ferndale police officer has been charged with assault for using excessive force during an arrest in April.
Police Chief Timothy Collins on Wednesday released video of the arrest, saying he was "deeply troubled" by it.
Watch: Explanation of now-former Ferndale officer's alleged excessive force during arrest
Collins said there were "no excuses" for Jason White's behavior on April 18 when he was taking a man into custody during a theft investigation in a southeast neighborhood.
White and his partner were canvassing the area after a resident reported something stolen from a car. The man and his companion were "found leaving the area with stolen items from neighborhood vehicles," police said.
The man is known to officers, and has had five similar incidents in a two-year period, police said.
The actions of this single officer are not in any way indicative or reflective of the Ferndale Police Department's principles, values or operations," Collins said.
Collins said an internal investigation was started as soon as the man complained about the arrest, and White was relieved of his duties. After his behavior was deemed excessive, Collins asked the Oakland County Sheriff's Office to conduct an additional investigation. During that time, White officially resigned from the police department, Collins said. He was arraigned this week on an assault and battery charge.
Full statement from police chief
On April 18, an allegation of excessive force was made by a young man who had been arrested by an officer of the Ferndale Police Department. In viewing a recording of the arrest (taken via the officer's in-car video system), I was deeply troubled by what i witnessed. There are no excuses to be made: the arresting officer involved in this incident did indeed use excessive.
Allow me to say first and foremost that the actions of this single officer are not in any way indicative or reflective of the Ferndale Police Department's principles, values, or operations.
Community is at the hear of all that we do; we strive every day to promote a culture in which our officers act and are viewed as guardians and protectors. I can speak for the entire department when I say that I am shocked and disappointed by what occurred during this arrest. Every individual, regardless of his or her alleged actions, is entitled to safety and respect; I apologize that this young man did not receive this.
While one individual displayed inappropriate and unacceptable behavior, the rest of our department- acting in a way that reflects our true values and the training our team receives- worked rapidly to bring the issues to light and ensure that appropriate action was taken. In the days immediately following the incident, the allegation was reported up to the chain of command from the patrol officer to his sergeant to his lieutenant and to the captain; I was made aware of the violation ;in-car video was requested and viewed; the officer involved was relieved of duty; and a criminal investigation was requested. On May 1, the officer officially resigned from he Ferndale Police Department. We have cooperated fully with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, and the case is now in the court system.
I pledge that my deparment and I will do our very best to see that a violation like this never occurs again. We deam the best from every member of our team, and we will continue to provide the information and training necessary to ensure that all members are equipped to act as responsible stewards of the law.