FAULKNER COUNTY, AR – A Faulkner Co. Sheriff’s Office deputy has been fired following an internal investigation into an incident that happened on May 4th.
On that day, the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle. Authorities say Christopher Cummings a known violent, convicted felon was believed to be in the vehicle who ultimately fled from the deputies.
According to a report, the driver, Harvey Martin and passenger, Cummings led deputies on a high speed chase that reached speeds up to 125 MPH on the interstate from Mayflower to Conway while Cummings fired numerous rounds from a pistol toward the deputies chasing him striking marked FCSO patrol vehicles four times.
The chase ended at the intersection of Clifton St. and Hairston St. in Conway.
Cummings was arrested after a brief struggle outside of the vehicle while he was still in possession of the pistol. Martin did not respond to verbal commands from the deputies to get out of the vehicle and had to be removed by the deputies.
A struggle then began to restrain Martin and place him in handcuffs. Both suspects were taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released that night.
After the incident, a law enforcement body camera recording of Martin’s arrest was given to the FCSO. A review of the video resulted in FCSO deputies being placed on administrative leave and an FCSO Internal Investigation being opened concerning the potential use of excessive force by the deputies in question.
As of Friday, the FCSO Internal Investigation has been completed and reviewed. The Sherriff’s Office says it is clear from interviews, law enforcement supplemental reports and the video recording that Deputy Eugene Watlington engaged in the uncalled for kicking of the suspect Martin while other deputies struggled to restrain the suspect.
As a result, Deputy Watlington has been informed of his termination from his position as deputy sheriff effective today (July 10th) for the use of excessive force against suspect Martin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to his termination, the FCSO will move to have Deputy Watlington de-certified as a law enforcement officer. A final decision on the employment status of the other deputies involved in the altercation and restraint of Martin has not been made at this time. They remain on administrative leave.
In addition to the Internal Investigation, a parallel criminal investigation was initiated for presentation to the 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for his review as to whether or not felony criminal charges are warranted in the matter.
The FCSO says they will also be working with federal authorities to determine whether the actions of the deputies involved rise to the level of a federal civil rights violation.
On that day, the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle. Authorities say Christopher Cummings a known violent, convicted felon was believed to be in the vehicle who ultimately fled from the deputies.
According to a report, the driver, Harvey Martin and passenger, Cummings led deputies on a high speed chase that reached speeds up to 125 MPH on the interstate from Mayflower to Conway while Cummings fired numerous rounds from a pistol toward the deputies chasing him striking marked FCSO patrol vehicles four times.
The chase ended at the intersection of Clifton St. and Hairston St. in Conway.
Cummings was arrested after a brief struggle outside of the vehicle while he was still in possession of the pistol. Martin did not respond to verbal commands from the deputies to get out of the vehicle and had to be removed by the deputies.
A struggle then began to restrain Martin and place him in handcuffs. Both suspects were taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released that night.
After the incident, a law enforcement body camera recording of Martin’s arrest was given to the FCSO. A review of the video resulted in FCSO deputies being placed on administrative leave and an FCSO Internal Investigation being opened concerning the potential use of excessive force by the deputies in question.
As of Friday, the FCSO Internal Investigation has been completed and reviewed. The Sherriff’s Office says it is clear from interviews, law enforcement supplemental reports and the video recording that Deputy Eugene Watlington engaged in the uncalled for kicking of the suspect Martin while other deputies struggled to restrain the suspect.
As a result, Deputy Watlington has been informed of his termination from his position as deputy sheriff effective today (July 10th) for the use of excessive force against suspect Martin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to his termination, the FCSO will move to have Deputy Watlington de-certified as a law enforcement officer. A final decision on the employment status of the other deputies involved in the altercation and restraint of Martin has not been made at this time. They remain on administrative leave.
In addition to the Internal Investigation, a parallel criminal investigation was initiated for presentation to the 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for his review as to whether or not felony criminal charges are warranted in the matter.
The FCSO says they will also be working with federal authorities to determine whether the actions of the deputies involved rise to the level of a federal civil rights violation.
