LAWRENCE — The Lawrence Police Department is investigating an altercation involving two officers and an alleged suspect captured on video Tuesday.
The video, which has been circulating on social media, shows Lawrence Police Department officers punching a man on the ground in a Walmart parking lot.
The Lawrence Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division is investigating what led to the altercation.
"Transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining the trust of the community we serve," Lawrence Police Chief Curtis Bigsbee said Wednesday evening. "We are committed to a fair and objective review of this incident, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings."
The Lawrence Police Department released body cam footage of the entire incident from multiple angles.
Court documents say the man was approached by officers when he was parked in an emergency fire lane outside of the Walmart on Pendleton Pike.
In the footage, the man can be seen talking to officers outside the vehicle. Investigators say he was acting aggressively.
VIEW | Below is the footage released by the Lawrence Police Department. Viewer discretion is advised. The player at the top of this article contains additional angles of the incident.
The altercation begins when the officer tells him to turn around to put him in handcuffs, and he can be heard saying, "I'm not turning around." The footage then shows the man and officers engaging in a physical altercation.
Court documents say the man pushed, grabbed, and punched the officers before getting tased, and then punched multiple times in the head and torso as he was on the ground.
The man was initially arrested for battery against officers and resisting law enforcement but the Marion County Prosecutor's Office announced it will not be filing charges against him at this time.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not filed charges related to this matter at this time.
We are awaiting the full investigative report from the Lawrence Police Department that includes what led up to the incident as well as its investigation into the officers’ conduct prior to making a charging determination.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Lawrence Police Department issued the following statement following the release of the footage:
In our ongoing commitment to transparency, the City of Lawrence Police Department is releasing body-worn and in-car camera footage related to this incident. While we recognize that some of the content in these videos may be difficult to watch, we believe that providing this footage allows for a clearer understanding of the events as they unfolded.
It is important to note that video evidence is only one part of the investigation. The department will continue to gather all relevant information, including witness statements, officer reports, and other evidence, to ensure a full and fair review of the incident.
We acknowledge that the footage may lead to varying interpretations based on individual perspectives and experiences. However, we urge the public to allow the investigative process to be completed before forming final conclusions. Our priority remains ensuring a just and thorough review while maintaining trust and unity within the community.
We remain dedicated to treating both officers and community members fairly and holding all individuals accountable to the highest standards of justice and professionalism.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Deputy Chief Travis Cline at tcline@cityoflawrence.org.
