On Friday (May 8), Georgia’s Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced that nine deputies were terminated as a result of the death of 22-year-old Matthew Ajibade back in January.
Arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, Ajibade suffered from bipolar disorder. Reports indicate that during his episode, a physical altercation with three deputies resulted, leaving one with a broken nose. Ajibade was then handcuffed to a restraint chair, where he was tasered and later found unresponsive. The firing of the deputies was implemented after investigations by internal affairs and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
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According to NBC News and local news station WTOC, Chatham County Sheriff Al St. Lawrence released a statement indicating that Ajibade’s case will lead to policy changes within the department, including security procedures for the use of taser and the use of onsite medical personnel for suspects on medications.
“Additionally, I have instituted numerous policy changes. Those changes include safeguards for those reported to suffer from a mental health illness as well as security cross checks,” he said.
Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap stated that the findings of the investigations will not be made public until the they are presented to a grand jury.