GREENVILLE, SC (WSPA) – A Greenville man plans to file a lawsuit against the Greenville Police Department for excessive force after he says he was injured during a December arrest.
Jaquan Williams, 21, was a passenger in a car that was pulled over for an expired tag December 15. His cousin was behind the wheel.
The officer smelled marijuana, searched the vehicle and found the drug inside. Williams and his cousin were placed under arrest and that’s when Williams says he was slammed to the ground causing damage to his teeth.
“The next thing I know, I’m on the ground. I didn’t know my mouth was bleeding until the ambulance got there,” said Williams.
Police says Williams was resisting arrest and the officer had to use force to subdue him. Williams denies that and plans to file a lawsuit within a few weeks.
Greenville Police say it is standard protocol in allegations of excessive force to initiate two separate investigations: An internal investigation to ensure that involved officers followed Department policies and protocols, and an independent criminal investigation to determine whether officer actions violated the law.
They say the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will conduct the separate criminal investigation.
The criminal investigation will be reviewed by the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for any determination on prosecution.
