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Additional training ordered for Charleston police officers following controversial arrest

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Police officers in Charleston are going to undergo additional training on how to make arrests in stressful situations after a “use of force” complaint was filed following an arrest that took place Monday.

The arrest was made Monday night.

A cellphone video taken by a bystander shows a person being restrained by a police officer on the street when a second officer arrives to assist. The video shows the second officer going to his knees and then throwing four punches with his right hand.

Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, Police Chief Opie Smith and RESET Chair Rev. Roberta Smith issued a joint statement Thursday evening following a meeting earlier in the day.

MORE Read joint statement here

After reviewing the dash cam video from Monday’s arrest with RESET members, it was decided that Charleston officers would undergo further training.

“Officers will complete additional defensive tactics trainings in two officer cuffing situations and one officer take down and cuffing tactics,” the statement said. “The goal of these trainings is to work with officers to show different techniques that can be used to defuse situations. A full outline of the training classes will be reviewed by RESET.”

The statement also said officers would take additional classes focused on communication.

Charleston Police Chief Opie Smith

“CPD members will be taking additional training classes on how to interact and communicate with individuals who have difficulty communicating in high stress situations – such as individuals with hearing impairments, autism and PTSD – so that officers can be better prepared to deal with a variety of situations,” the statement said.

The two officers involved in the incident are currently on paid administrative leave as the department’s Professional Standards Division conducts an internal investigation to determine “if the force used was necessary and within the Department’s policy,” Smith said in a statement released Wednesday.

Smith also said the investigation would be put on the fast track and would take no longer than two weeks.

Reports indicate the person being arrested was a woman and the charges included animal cruelty and resisting arrest.