New Details on Officer Patrick Luckett

There are new developments in the case involving a Mobile Police officer accused of beating a suspect. FOX10 first told you about the video that emerged on the Internet showing an officer throwing punches after a high speed chase. That internal investigation has now come to an end.

The incident was first reported two weeks ago, after video emerged on the internet showing the officer throwing punches after a high speed chase.

The Officer in question is Patrick Luckett. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett said Luckett has been on the force for about four years, and he's never had any other disciplinary problems before.

Garrett said everything regarding the pursuit and the arrest of the suspect was fine, because he was a danger to the public. But Garrett did have an issue with the force used by Officer Luckett, after the suspect was taken from the car. Garrett called it "unnecessary."

Police pulled the suspect, David Pate, from a car. After the arrest, Officer Patrick Luckett was videotaped swinging at the suspect. Wednesday, Chief Phillip Garrett said too much force was used.

"He did come forward and admit it and it was an error," said Chief Garrett. "He was upset with Mr. Pate for the actions. We certainly don't condone unnecessary force and I think this was. I think Mr. Pate certainly deserves some part of the responsibility for the position he put a lot of people in that day."

Pate is accused of hitting his wife, kidnapping her, then leading police on a high speed chase. Police were able to surround the suspect on Hillcrest Road, where they tried to get him under control.

Garrett said he only agrees with the arrest and pursuit.

"They did right by physically taking him out and literally breaking the window out of the car and pulling him out of the car. They needed to be able to stop him from being able to leave the scene again," he added.

But it's what happened next that caused Officer Luckett to also be investigated.

"We don't condone that. We're not going to condone it. Never have, and never will," said Garrett.

Since the incident, Officer Luckett has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of a hearing. Garrett said Luckett will have the chance to tell his side of the story in front of a panel on the trial board.

"The penalty could be minimal, it could be termination. There's a wide range. There's a lot it's based on; the officer's actions, the way he presents himself for taking responsibility for his actions," Garrett said.

The trial board will evaluate the case and present its recommendations to Chief Garrett. Garrett will then turn it over to the Mayor. That process may take a few weeks.