Two cops fired after videos of violent traffic stop surface

The almost two-minute video, shot by a driver stopped a short distance behind the apparent traffic stop, appears to show one Gwinnett County officer pull a driver from his vehicle and struggle with him before placing him on the ground and putting him in handcuffs.

In this undated Gwinnett County Police Department photo, Master Police Officer Robert McDonald poses for an official portrait.

Two Gwinnett County police officers found themselves out of a job Thursday, April 13, less than 24 hours after video surfaced of them kicking and punching a Black motorist in handcuffs.

"We are DEMANDING that Gwinnett County Police Department immediately terminate this officer who viciously kicked a HANDCUFFED BLACK MAN lying on the ground in the middle of the street (off Sugarloaf Parkway) without cause and without merit". He also wrote in his report that he could smell marijuana coming from the driver and that Hollins refused to cooperate. As he got out of the auto, Hollins hit the gear shift and the vehicle began to roll, forcing McDonald to chase the vehicle, jump inside and pull the emergency brake.

A cell phone video posted on Twitter soon after the stop showed McDonald stomping on Hollins' head as he ran up to the scene. "In my previous encounter, he reached for a loaded firearm that was under his seat", Bongiovanni stated in the incident report.

Twenty-one-year-old Demetrius Hollins was pulled aside at a traffic stop by the two former officers allegedly in regards to violations he was committing, but then resisted arrest when the men tried to take him into custody, this being Bongiavonni's side of the story.

But the trouble for the department did not end there. In this video, Bongiovanni can be seen approaching Hollins, who is still inside the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, Officer McDonald bolts toward Hollins and stomps him in the head.

The victim walked out of jail with a bloody noise and lip Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Columbus, Ohio, an investigation remains underway into an officer's actions on Saturday that also were the subject of bystander video.

McDonald was forthcoming, saying he was wrong for kicking Hollins. Police say they found what they believe was marijuana in the vehicle, as well as a bottle of urine wrapped in tea bags, which the report says officers believe was meant for someone to pass a drug test.

"This officer and his actions do not represent the men and women of this police department", Ayers said.

"I wish this never happened to me", Hollins told reporters in the company of his attorneys. Video surveillance showed the deputy had "forced the arrestee face-first into a brick wall, slammed the arrestee's head into the wall and then punched the arrestee in the back of the head with a closed fist". "In this case, what we saw on video, that punch was unreasonable and unnecessary", Ayers stated.

Ayers, after seeing the footage, stated that he was left stunned.

"We acknowledge that the actions of these two officers have implications that will be felt for some time", Thursday's statement said.

"We've put a lot of money into recruiting, training and equipping them, and there is literally no excuse for behavior like this". "He did something we don't teach in our academy".

"Up until this point, he was a good police officer".

McDonald was "an excellent example of a team player with a strong work ethic" who completed his work on time, was always willing to help others and was courteous and professional with the public, Bongiovanni wrote in annual evaluation last June.