INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Knox County Cop Fired For Choking Tennesse Student [PHOTOS]

By Jeremy Butler
Published on: 23:40 PST, Apr 27, 2014

A Knox County, Tennessee Police Officer has been fired after he was photographed using excessive force on a University of Tennessee student on Saturday night.

Officer Frank Phillips, 47, was accompanied by two other officers who appeared to have the situation under control when he deemed it necessary to choke 21 year old Jarod Dotson until he fell to the ground. The situation was photographed in its entirety, showing Officer Phillips using brutal and excessive force.

Sheriff Jimmy Jones of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:

“In my 34 years of law enforcement experience, excessive force has never been tolerated. After an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, I believe excessive force was used in this incident. Therefore, Officer Phillips’ employment with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is terminated immediately. The investigation will now be turned over to the Knox County Attorney General’s Office to determine any further action. This incident provides a perfect example of why we are in the process of purchasing officer worn body cameras (video and audio recordings) so incidents like this will be fully documented.”

Dotson was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. He was released on $500 bond the next morning.

Do you feel that the Officer used excessive force in the photos?

Images via John Messner

Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Officer Frank Phillips uses excessive force while arresting a University of Tennessee student at a party. Officer Phillips was fired the next day for his actions.
Share this article: Knox County Cop Fired For Choking Tennesse Student [PHOTOS]
More from Inquisitr