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The Hazel Park Police Department has hired a former Ferndale cop who pleaded no contest to assault and battery for beating a handcuffed teenage suspect two years ago, WXYZ reports. He resigned from Ferndale's force after the incident.
Officer Jason White was working for Ferndale on April 18, 2016 when he spotted a young man he'd busted several times for burglarizing cars.
A scout car video shows 17-year-old Khalil Williams dropping to the ground as police approach. After White cuffs him, he punches the teen and slams him to the ground at least three times. He then strikes him six more times, reports WXYZ's Heather Catallo.
"When an individual has surrendered themselves, and put themselves in a compliance situation, then it is hands off," Chief Timothy Collins told WXYZ at the time. "That’s why we acted so quickly.”
“Do you have any concerns that he’s a liability for your department,” Catallo asks Hazel Park Chief Brian Buchholz, who replies:
"I do not. He's a solid guy. He's not going to make a mistake like that again. He's happy to be where he’s at, he’s thankful and I'm confident."
