Officer fired after body camera footage backs up complaints

A Simpsonville police officer has been fired after body camera footage backed up fellow officers’ complaints about excessive force.

Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell said in a news release Thursday that Officer Brian Kurta was fired from the department late last month. According to the chief, an internal investigation was conducted after several officers filed excessive force complaints against Kurta, 42.

Body camera footage backed up those complaints, and Kurta was fired immediately, Grounsell said. The chief did not give details about what the footage showed.

The chief said he asked the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate the situation. Agency spokesman Thom Berry confirmed to The Associated Press Friday that an investigation was under way but released no details.

Police said no alleged victim had filed a formal complaint against Kurta, who has not been charged with a crime.

The use of police body cameras has been spreading around the U.S. to provide a video account of police encounters with the public.

Simpsonville is about 90 miles northwest of Columbia.

Meg Kinnard, Associated Press

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 4:36 PM.