SBI investigates Shelby police officer for excessive force

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating an officer in the Shelby Police Department in Cleveland County. 

The Shelby police chief and Cleveland County District Attorney requested an independent investigation after receiving reports of excessive use of force by an officer. 

The officer was arrested after a video circulated on social media. The video shows the officer dragging a woman to the ground and punching her repeatedly in the head. A second officer comes to assist and she was arrested. The woman is facing charges of breaking and entering, assaulting a government official, and resisting arrest. 

"I want to be clear that the inappropriate use of force is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by myself of the Shelby Police Department. said Police Chief Brad Fraser. "Community trust is the cornerstone of any law enforcement agency. When an incident occurs that undermines that trust, it impacts us all." 

The officer, who was not named, was terminated from the Shelby Police Department on 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Shelby Police Chief Fraser, City Manager Justin Merritt and Mayor Stan Anthony addressed the community around 10 a.m. Saturday morning. 

"While this incident does not reflect the values of the Shelby Police department, it does reinforce the importance of holding ourselves to the highest standards of conduct," said police chief Fraser. "As we move forward, our commitment to the city of Shelby remains unchanged: to protect our community with courage and serve our community with compassion." 

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please call the North Carolina SBI office at 919-662-4500.

WCNC Charlotte contributed to the reporting of this story.