August 6, 2021
Atlanta Police Officer Terminated After Being Caught on Video Kicking Woman in the Head
BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported last week that a police officer in Atlanta was suspended and another one placed on administrative leave after a video clip surfaced of a police sergeant kicking a Black woman in the head after she spat at his feet. A video clip of the incident was posted on social media and went viral.
According to Insider, the police officer seen in that video kicking the woman has been terminated while the other police officer on the scene who didn’t intervene has been reinstated to her position.
The police officer, Marc Theodule, who had been employed with the Atlanta Police Department since 2009, has been terminated after the Office of Professional Standards completed its investigation on Monday.
“Based on a review of all the facts, it was determined Sgt. Marc Theodule’s actions violated department policy and he acted outside of APD standards and training,” the agency said.
The other police officer, Bridget Citizen, who was initially suspended, is back on duty as the Office of Professional Standards stated that she didn’t violate the department’s policy requiring officers to intervene.
The Atlanta Police Department released a statement regarding the investigation of the incident.
“The Office of Professional Standards’ full investigation has since concluded. Based on a review of all the facts, it was determined Sgt. Marc Theodule’s actions violated department policy and he acted outside of APD standards and training. The decision was made to terminate employment of Sgt. Theodule on August 2, 2021. The investigation also concluded Officer Bridget Citizen did not violate APD’s Duty to Intervene policy. Our expectation is that employees intervene in on-going active situations, in this case, the kick occurred one time and then ceased. It was also determined that Officer Citizen brought the incident to the attention of a supervisor, a short time after the incident. She has since been returned to full duty status.
“I want our officers and the public to know that I do not take terminating employees lightly. But I also understand that the Atlanta Police Department must be held to the highest standards and with that comes accountability when departmental policy is violated. Considering all the facts, I support the findings and recommendations made in this case.”
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