Crime & Safety

Man says APD officer assaulted him outside Midtown bar

Atlanta Police are investigating the claim that one of their officers punched a handcuffed man in the face in Midtown last weekend.

The Atlanta Police Department's Office of Professional Standards is currently investigating the actions of one of its own after a man claimed an off-duty police officer recently punched him in the face while he was handcuffed outside of Flip Flops Pizza Kitchen in Midtown.

According to reporting by WSB, Todd Mitchell has cell phone video shot by a friend depicting himself being punched by an off-duty officer who was working security at the Crescent Avenue nightspot on Sunday, March 3. 

According to the news outlet’s report, the video indicates the officer can be heard, "accusing Mitchell of swinging at a cop before and then appeared to punch Mitchell."

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In the police narrative supplied by APD Sgt. Gregory Lyon, Mitchell, age 23, "was observed fighting by witnesses, and was asked by management to leave around 2 a.m." 

The police narrative goes on to say that, "Investigator Christopher Kitcho, working an off-duty extra job at Flip Flops, attempted to escort Mr. Mitchell from the property." Lyon said in an email that as Mitchell was being escorted out, he became combative and was, "arrested for Disorder While under the Influence and Disorderly Conduct."

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Mitchell disputes the police narrative, and asked WSB reporters, "so where's the dude I was fighting if I was fighting?"

Mitchell was transported to jail. A photo found on WSBtv.com shows him with a bloody face and swollen eye. Atlanta police did not confirm or deny any wrongdoing by the responding officer, but instead Lyon made the following statement:

“The officer has been placed on administrative duty in a non-enforcement capacity until the investigation is complete. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for any violations of Department policy that are found to have occurred.”

You can see the cell phone video obtained by WSB-TV here


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