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Sheriff Responds To Several Recent Firings

 Erich Spivey  Taren Reed     Created: 7/14/2009 10:49:43 PM    Updated: 7/15/2009 8:35:19 AM
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JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The newly-released video from inside the Juvenile Detention Center shows police officers trying to gain control of a riot. But Sheriff John Rutherford says some crossed the line.

"We had four officers who in their zeal over-reacted and used unnecessary force against some inmates who were handcuffed. I'm not going to tolerate that," Rutherford told First Coast News' Erich Spivey.

This clip shows one of the fired officers kneeing or kicking one inmate who is already in handcuffs. Seconds later, the officer does it again.

The incident last September just became public at a time of other recent negative headlines about JSO.

"I'm glad the public sees these headlines because they understand that the men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are going to be professional, they're going to handle themselves accordingly," Rutherford says.

Just last Friday, the sheriff fired officer R.T. Fraser. He says Fraser didn't use "sound judgement" when he shot Jerrick Hall in the shoulder during a burglary investigation.

Police did not pursue burglary charges against Hall.

"Nobody should have to fear every time you walk out the door, they're afraid for their life," says Sonji Hall-Brooks, Hall's mom.

CLICK HERE to watch more of the riot video.

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