Officer Under Investigation Following Altercation At Walmart

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After an altercation with a Walmart customer who refused to wear a face mask, a Birmingham police officer is under investigation. The incident occurred Tuesday night at Walmart in Roebuck.

Sgt Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department said the department is aware of a video of the incident that has circultaed through social media, and that immediate actions were taken for the sake of public trust and transparency.

"A preliminary investigation consistent with the Birmingham Police Department reportable use of force protocols were immediately initiated and investigators of the Internal Affairs Division are conducting an investigation. This protocol applies for all use of force incidents that occur within the Birmingham Police Department," Mauldin said in a statement.

"We understand we are operating in trying times. The Birmingham Police Department has maintained a consistent community oriented educational approach to the surrounding circumstances of Covid-19. As a department we have been successful in our efforts to gain compliance and cooperation from the vast majority of citizens in Birmingham. Our records indicate, we have not issued any citations or made arrests as it relates to the shelter in place ordinance or the face covering ordinance. We have made a valiant effort to gain voluntary compliance and we will continue to work cohesively with the community."

The video of the incident has been viewed thousands of times via Facebook: