VIDEO: Lovejoy police chief detains man in parking lot

LOVEJOY, Georgia – A Clayton County couple is accusing the Lovejoy police chief and other officers of using excessive force during a one-time arrest in the police department parking lot.

Rashawn Banks felt like he was being choked before he was tasered and handcuffed almost exactly two weeks ago.

A Lovejoy police spokesman said they did everything according to regulations.

Lovejoy Police Department spokesman John Davis said the story begins when a semi-truck got stuck on railroad tracks near Lovejoy Road. Davis said Ameeliah Nixon was stopped by police when she failed to comply with the traffic control officer’s orders. Davis also said she did not initially show the officer her proper identification.

“She was very angry about the situation and started yelling at the police officer,” Davis said.

There is body camera footage showing the exchange. Nixon admitted that her fear got the better of her but claimed she did not see the officer.

“Does that make it right? No, but he is a professional and a man of authority,” Nixon continued. “I was afraid for my life,” Nixon said.

Nixon said the officer also yelled and screamed at her. After she left with her summons, Nixon called her fiancé, Rashawn Banks. The couple has been together for five years. She asked Banks to accompany her to the police station to file a report.

While all this was going on, Davis said, something alerted the administrative staff.

“We received a call from Mr. Banks who was very argumentative on the phone,” Davis said.

It contains what sounds like a man swearing and using racist slurs at police officers.

Tresia Bowles of 11Alive played the recording to Banks, who said he had no idea who made the call.

“I never called there,” Banks said.

Davis said staff also had concerns that the couple had gotten into an argument in the parking lot, but Nixon said Banks was simply giving her a pep talk.

Banks entered the office but left shortly afterwards.

Shortly after the couple arrived, they were met by officers who handcuffed Banks. Police Chief Rick Webster eventually joined the officers.

Banks said it was unclear why he was being arrested. Banks also didn’t understand why officers had to search his pockets. In the video, officers seemed confused about the arrest. After some back and forth, Nixon’s cellphone video shows Banks on the concrete.

“(They) punched Rashawn in the face and took him to the ground,” Nixon said.

In the video, Chief Webster can be seen placing his arms around Banks’ head and neck area.

Davis said this maneuver is called a neck restraint compression and gentle hand technique. Davis placed the handcuffs on Banks. He said Banks shoved Webster, was warned not to do it again, then was stunned with a Taser and handcuffed. Davis also said Banks resisted arrest.

Nixon and Banks agreed that in their view it was an excessive use of force.

“He weighs 120 pounds,” Nixon said. “There were three of them.”

There is police surveillance video of the exchange, but because the exchange was so far away, it is very difficult to see clearly what happened.

Banks said he feared for his life.

“I was trying to breathe and focus on staying alive,” Banks said.

Banks is charged with hindering apprehension and assault. Davis said he resisted arrest and injured the police chief.

Nixon and Banks said they felt profiled and lied to. They want police to be held accountable. They are talking to lawyers to weigh their options and plan to examine her phone records to prove Banks never called the office.

“Change begins with ourselves,” said Nixon. “We cannot create change until we become the change.”

Davis said the couple could still file a complaint and was prepared if the matter went further.

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