Councilwoman Says She Witnessed Police Using Excessive Force

A Darlington City Councilwoman says she witnessed a Darlington Police officer use excessive force while arresting a 64-year-old man.

According to Gloria Hines, the officer arrested Bizmark Richardson around noon on Saturday on South Main Street for "drunkenness."

Hines says Richardson must have said something the officer did not like; the officer allegedly responded by hitting Richardson's head into the back of the patrol car.

Hines said she heard the thump from about 200 feet away.

The officer, who Hines said was a white man, used excessive force on Richardson, who is black, according to Hines.

The councilwoman said she had not yet filed a complaint.