ELBA POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER FIRE FOR ALLEGED POLICE BRUTALITY

An area police department comes under fire for alleged acts of brutality. The Elba Police Department is under investigation for alleged police brutality...and this is not the first time the accusation has been made. WDHN talked with one of the accusers yesterday, Willie Paul Caldwell, who says he was publicly humiliated. Caldwell says that his girlfriend called police after a domestic dispute, but when the police responded to the incident, the arresting officer went too far. Caldwell admitted he had police respond to his home before, but maintains along with several witnesses that excessive force was used...even after he was handcuffed. A neighbor says a similar incident happened to him involving the same police officer. The Elba Police Chief was out of town, but Lt. Hardy issued this statement, (quote) "at this time the complaint is under investigation...based on the information I received, we are denying any use of excessive force...as far as we are concerned the accusations are without merit." (endquote) To settle this matter, Mr. Caldwell and at least half-dozen people who witnessed the alleged attack along with the Elba Police, will be at Monday`s City Council Meeting. WDHN will update you after Monday`s meeting at 5:30 at Elba City Hall.