Lovejoy police placed an officer on administrative leave after a video circulating on social media appeared to show a physical encounter with an individual at a Walmart. The department said it launched an administrative review as soon as it became aware of the footage.
Police said the video shows an officer engaged in a physical interaction with a person whose hands appear to be behind his back. The officer was placed on leave effective immediately while the investigation continues.
The case is now in administrative review, not closed inquiry, and the department said the full circumstances are still under review. Officials said the process will include all available evidence, including video footage, incident reports, witness statements and whether the officer followed departmental policies and training.
The name of the officer has not been released. The department said it is committed to a fair, objective and timely investigation, and that additional information will be released as it becomes available and as allowed by law. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the department’s Professional Standards Unit.
The unanswered question is no longer whether Lovejoy police will look into the encounter; they already have. The question is what the evidence shows when the video is weighed against reports, witnesses and policy, and whether the officer’s actions matched the department’s standards.