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LITHONIA, Ga. - The Lithonia City Council called an emergency meeting Monday night to discuss the future of Police Chief Roosevelt Smith. A complaint has been filed against Chief Smith claiming he used excessive force on a teen.
Attorney Frank Smith is representing 17-year-old Isaiah Harvey who was arrested after a burglary on February 5. The attorney said while Harvey was cuffed in the back of the chief's patrol car, the chief choked him.
“After that, he threatened to tase him by not only putting it to his side but also pointing it at his head,” said the attorney.
Several current and former officers were at Monday night's meeting calling for the chief to be fired. They say they've made complaints to the city about the chief but nothing was ever done.
“That's why we're all here because it's not fair to the officers who work here, because they're giving their all for minimum pay and all they ask is respect and training and they're denied that,” said former officer Mike Olds.
After meeting in executive session, Mayor Deborah Jackson said the investigation of the chief isn't finished, and they hope to make a decision soon.
“We are moving as quickly as possible because we are taking this very seriously,” said Jackson.
The council will meet again Thursday night.
Former officers said they think the decision should have been made long ago.
“He's not the person to be chief, he's not the person to be a trainer, and he's certainly not the person to be a police officer,” said Foster Hill who once was with the Lithonia Police Reserves.