SALLISAW, Okla. — The Sallisaw Police Department is investigating after receiving a complaint concerning the possible use of excessive force by one of its officers during the arrest of an individual.
This matter is currently under investigation and the officer involved, Officer Billy Oliver has been placed on administrative leave as of Tuesday (June 23), according to Sallisaw Chief of Police Terry Franklin.
"The Sallisaw Police Department takes all complaints seriously. If the complaint is founded, appropriate action will be taken. At this time we have no other information to release concerning this complaint," Chief Franklin said.
Officer Oliver started working at the Sallisaw Police Department in 2006 as a reserve officer. He was hired full time in 2007.
This incident stems from a June 7th incident that happened around 2 a.m. According to Franklin, it's alleged that Officer Oliver put a person in a chokehold, which constitutes as excessive force.
Chief Franklin currently has a Sallisaw Police Captain investigating the incident. If the chief thinks it's warranted, they will bring in outside resources to investigate the incident.
The chief says their training does not promote or train on how to use chokeholds. He says the officer did not have his body cam running at the time of the incident, which is department policy when they come in contact with a person during an investigation or police call.
The police report about the incident was filed by another officer, Officer Josh Rogers, which means it may not match what the video from the body cam of a Sequoyah County Sheriff's Deputy shows.
This is a developing story.