Nationwide — Officer Donovan Bever has been fired from the Columbus police force after a bodycam video revealed his violent arrest of a 14-year-old boy, including slamming the teen’s face into the ground and dragging him by his dreadlocks. He was terminated for abusive behavior and excessive use of force.
Bever pushed the boy’s face into the concrete again, threw objects from the boy’s pockets at him, and hit him in the face. After cuffing him, Bever threatened, “You move, I will break your face.” He then dragged the teen by his dreadlocks to a police van and hit him in the groin during another search.
Police Chief Elaine Bryant expressed her strong disapproval after watching Bever’s bodycam video.
“It angers me. I’m disappointed. I’m angry. I’m frustrated because this is not what we stand for and there was absolutely no reason or justification for treating a 14-year-old or anyone like that,” she said.
The incident occurred during a traffic stop in the Linden area. Officers approached two 14-year-olds who were walking in the street. When the teens ran upon seeing the police, Bever and another officer pursued them. They complied, but the situation escalated when Bever used force during the arrest.
Bever’s misconduct, captured on video, included using excessive force and making inappropriate comments during the arrest. Despite being relieved of duty shortly after the incident, he was formally fired months later.
Chief Bryant assured the community that the department took swift action in response to the incident, meeting with the teen’s family to address their concerns.
“They were disappointed about the actions of the officers, but they were relieved and happy with the swift action that the department and the director of public safety took in addressing this issue,” Bryant said.
