Georgia deputy who shot absolved man had prior firing for extreme drive. Critics blame the sheriff

When Employees Sgt. Buck Aldridge fatally shot Leonard Treatment throughout a roadside struggle after pulling him over for dashing, it wasn’t the primary time a site visitors cease involving the Camden County sheriff’s deputy had spiraled into violence.

Final yr, Aldridge dragged a driver from a automotive that crashed after fleeing the deputy on Interstate 95. Physique and sprint digital camera video obtained by The Related Press present the driving force on his again as Aldridge punches him. Information point out the deputy confronted no disciplinary motion.

Personnel information present Aldridge was fired in August 2017 by a police division in the identical Georgia county after he threw a girl to the bottom and handcuffed her throughout a site visitors cease. The Camden County Sheriff’s Workplace employed him 9 months later.

Aldridge stopped Treatment for dashing Oct. 16 and ended up stunning the 53-year-old Black man with a Taser after he refused to place his arms behind him to be cuffed. Physique and sprint digital camera movies present Treatment fought again and had a hand on the deputy’s throat when Aldridge shot him point-blank.

Relations have mentioned Treatment seemingly resisted due to psychological trauma from spending 16 years imprisoned in Florida for an armed theft he didn’t commit. Officers exonerated and freed him in 2020.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating Treatment’s demise and can submit its findings to prosecutors. Aldridge’s lawyer mentioned the video reveals he fired in self-defense. Regardless, critics query whether or not he ought to have been carrying a badge given his historical past of aggression.

“This man ought to have by no means been on the drive,” mentioned Timothy Bessent Sr., president of Camden County’s NAACP chapter.

The AP obtained Aldridge’s personnel information in addition to reviews and movies from the June 2022 chase and arrest utilizing Georgia’s open information regulation.

A former U.S. Marine, Aldridge, 41, labored almost 5 years for the Kingsland Police Division in Georgia’s southeast nook. His file reveals Aldridge was disciplined for utilizing pointless drive in February 2014 and Could 2017. The second time he was suspended for 3 days with out pay.

The division fired Aldridge for his third infraction simply three months later. Police information say Aldridge was aiding with a site visitors cease when he tried to handcuff a girl — to not arrest her, however to maintain her outdoors her automotive. One deputy instructed investigators Aldridge cuffed the girl after “choosing her up and throwing her on the bottom.” She was cited for letting an unlicensed individual drive her automotive.

Aldridge was employed by the sheriff’s workplace in Could 2018. He disclosed his firing on his job software.

Aldridge’s termination would not robotically disqualify him from working for an additional company, although some would think about it an enormous legal responsibility, mentioned retired police Maj. Neill Franklin.

“If somebody’s terminated from one other police division to be used of extreme drive, they’re not getting employed by the Maryland State Police or the Baltimore Police Division,” mentioned Franklin, who led coaching applications for each companies. “It is simply not definitely worth the threat.”

Bessent and different advocates say it’s an instance of Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor tolerating pointless violence.

Proctor, who has been sheriff for a decade, declined to remark. Spokesman Capt. Larry Bruce cited the investigation into Treatment’s demise and pending civil litigation involving different deputies.

Since final yr, six Camden County deputies have been indicted on felony costs and fired for violence in opposition to jail detainees and a motorist.

In September 2022, jail safety cameras recorded guards dashing into the cell of Jarrett Hobbs, who was punched within the head and neck and hurled in opposition to a wall. Hobbs was charged with assaulting jailers till his lawyer obtained the video. His costs had been dropped, and three deputies had been indicted.

Two extra jailers had been charged and fired for incidents in March and July. Safety video confirmed one push a detainee to the ground and punch him earlier than one other guard intervened. The opposite deputy shoved a handcuffed detainee headfirst right into a door, knocking him unconscious.

“You’ve obtained these deputies working wild and doing what they wish to do,” mentioned Harry Daniels, a civil rights lawyer who gained a authorized settlement for Hobbs. “The implications have come from the GBI and the district lawyer’s workplace. It shouldn’t come from an outdoor company.”

He factors to Christine Newman, named “Deputy of the Month” two months after a splash digital camera recorded her slapping a handcuffed driver throughout the face and slamming the girl’s head right into a patrol SUV. The motive force had refused to exit her car after being pulled over for a rolling cease Jan. 16, 2022.

Newman was fired a yr later after being indicted on costs together with aggravated assault and violating her oath of workplace. She has pleaded not responsible. Newman’s lawyer, Robert Persse, referred to as her a “loyal deputy” whom he appears to be like ahead to defending in court docket.

The variety of deputies dealing with costs “signifies a tradition that will not encourage use of drive, however definitely tolerates inappropriate use of drive,” mentioned retired LaGrange, Georgia, Police Chief Louis Dekmar.

“If people are held accountable and there are clear strains, you usually don’t see that in regulation enforcement companies,” mentioned Dekmar, a former president of the Worldwide Affiliation of Chiefs of Police.

A spike in claims involving the sheriff’s workplace triggered Camden County’s authorities to get dropped by its insurance coverage firm in July, mentioned Mike Spiers, the county’s threat administration director. The county obtained new insurance policies, he mentioned, however its deductible for legal responsibility jumped from $25,000 per declare to $250,000.

Aldridge was positioned on administrative depart whereas the GBI investigates Cure’s death.

“Buck Aldridge is a superb officer and the video speaks for itself,” mentioned Adrienne Browning, Aldridge’s lawyer. “It’s clear his life was at risk and he defended himself.”

Video launched of the deadly confrontation alongside I-95 reveals Aldridge telling Treatment he is being charged with reckless driving for dashing in extra of 100 mph (161 kph). Treatment argues, however obeys instructions to get out and put his arms on his truck. Nevertheless, he ignores instructions to place his arms behind him.

That is when Aldridge fires his Taser into Treatment’s again. Treatment fights again, and video reveals them grappling beside the freeway. Treatment maintains a grip on Aldridge’s face and neck after being struck with a baton.

“Yeah, bitch!” Treatment says. Then he slumps to the bottom after Aldridge fires a single shot.

Dekmar, Franklin and a 3rd knowledgeable instructed AP they imagine the capturing was authorized, as Aldridge seemed to be at risk when he fired. However additionally they criticized how Aldridge started the encounter by shouting at Treatment and mentioned made no effort to deescalate.

“He escalated the state of affairs with Mr. Treatment,” mentioned former Memphis police officer Thaddeus Johnson, a prison justice professor at Georgia State College and a senior fellow for the Council on Prison Justice. “He has no management over his feelings.”

Johnson mentioned Aldridge confirmed an identical lack of management throughout a June 2022 arrest after chasing two dashing vehicles.

After one automotive crashes, physique and sprint digital camera video reveals Aldridge shouting expletives as he approaches along with his gun drawn. The motive force is on his again when Aldridge begins dragging him headfirst from the automotive, then punches him.

The motive force resists being cuffed however complies after one other deputy’s canine bites him and Aldridge shocks him with a Taser. The motive force was charged with drug trafficking, reckless driving and fleeing an officer.

Aldridge was promoted to workers sergeant two months later. His sheriff’s personnel file reveals no disciplinary actions.

Johnson mentioned he sees no justification for Aldridge punching the arrested driver. Even when prosecutors do not cost him in Treatment’s demise, he mentioned, “from what I noticed within the video, he deserves to be fired.”

“Now we have to carry officers to the next commonplace,” Johnson mentioned, “although they’re human.”