In March 2019, while serving as a sergeant, Jason Lawton was recorded punching a handcuffed woman, Amy Connelly, in a holding cell after she refused to sit down and attempted to kick him. He was fired following an internal investigation and later pleaded guilty to simple assault in May 2022, receiving a sentence of four to six months in prison. Connelly filed a federal lawsuit against the city alleging excessive force and inadequate officer training, which is still pending.
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