In an episode that highlights the ongoing concerns over excessive force by law enforcement, former Greene County, Georgia, deputy Robert Allen Kline has been arrested following an incident involving the use of a Taser on a handcuffed man. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Kline, a 51-year-old law enforcement veteran, was taken into custody last Wednesday, on charges of Aggravated Assault and Violation of Oath of Office after an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The GBI's intervention came after deputies responded to a vehicle wreck and subsequently arrested a 41-year-old man for driving under the influence shortly after midnight last Sunday, July 6. During the arrest process, Kline allegedly deployed a Taser on the suspect, who was already restrained in handcuffs. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in the next morning by the Greene County Sheriff's Office, according to the information by WSB-TV.
The confrontation escalated at the hospital, where the hand-cuffed man was taken to be checked out. Kline used his forearm to restrain the man who was raising his voice and cursing, and attempting to extricate himself from a wheelchair. It was after the suspect allegedly came at Kline "aggressively" that the now-former deputy deployed his Taser, knocking the man to the ground as described in the incident report obtained by WSB-TV.
Kline, who was employed by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office from February 27 until his termination last Wednesday July 9, was released on a $7,000 bond the same day as his arrest. The case remains active and ongoing, as confirmed by FOX 5 Atlanta, with the full investigation to be eventually turned over to the Ocmulgee District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Meanwhile, the GBI urges anyone with information to step forward and contact their Milledgeville office or submit an anonymous tip.
The Greene County Sheriff's Office has not provided further information regarding the case or Kline's employment record with the department.
