The officer, identified as Joseph Harris, was seen elbowing and punching the man before slamming the car door on his head. The incident occurred after the inmate, Billy Lee Coram, had allegedly ingested fentanyl and attempted to choke himself with a seatbelt while being transported by Harris.

The Jonesboro Police Department swiftly took action following a complaint from the county sheriff's office. An internal review led to the termination of Officer Harris, effective immediately. The department released a statement expressing their concern over the serious nature of the complaint: "Following an internal review of the incident, it was determined that the officer involved, Joseph Harris, should be terminated effective immediately."

The incident began when Coram, visibly distraught, expressed concerns about ingesting fentanyl and its impact on his health. He claimed that hospital staff had dismissed his concerns despite an X-ray revealing the presence of the substance. In an attempt to alleviate his distress, Coram wrapped a seatbelt around his neck while the vehicle was moving.

Upon noticing Coram's actions, Officer Harris reacted by punching and elbowing him several times in an effort to remove the seatbelt from around his neck. According to a police report based on Harris' account, Coram intentionally tried to strangle himself by wrapping the seatbelt around his neck and pushing his feet against the top of the car. Harris claimed he struck Coram to loosen the seatbelt and ensure his safety. However, critics argue that the use of force was unnecessary and excessive.

The Jonesboro Police Department's swift response to this incident is commendable. The department's actions demonstrate their commitment to upholding professional standards and ensuring accountability within their ranks. The decision to terminate Officer Harris sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated within their force.

The incident has also drawn attention from local authorities. Greene County Prosecutor Sonia Hagood has been briefed on the matter and is reviewing the video to determine whether charges will be brought against Officer Harris. Additionally, the FBI's Little Rock office has opened an investigation into the encounter.

The community has expressed outrage over the incident, with many calling for justice. The Craighead County NAACP organized a town hall meeting where Police Chief Rick Elliott shared the public's concerns. Elliott emphasized the importance of transparency and swiftly releasing the video as a step towards accountability. He acknowledged that while he is not proud of Officer Harris' actions, he believes it is crucial to address such incidents head-on.

The victim, Billy Lee Coram, is currently detained at the Craighead County Jail on an escape charge and is awaiting extradition to Mississippi. It is unclear whether he has obtained legal representation at this time. Coram is scheduled to appear in court on September 27th.

In response to this incident, Police Chief Elliott has also initiated actions to prevent Officer Harris from ever working in law enforcement again. He plans to seek decertification for Harris and have him added to a national database as a measure to ensure public safety.

The Jonesboro community awaits further developments in this disturbing incident. The swift actions taken by the Jonesboro Police Department serve as a reminder that accountability and transparency are crucial elements in maintaining trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.