Bodycam Video Disputes ‘Violent Arrest’ Rumors Police Say: WATCH

VILLA RICA, GA — Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Mansour is asking the public for the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the amount of force his officers used in the controversial arrest of a 27-year-old who police said was causing trouble all around Villa Rica.

Mansour said he's viewed the officers' bodycam video and his officers followed department policy in every way.

"Everywhere the man was struck, it was how they were trained to do so," he said. "He was not hit in the head or the neck. They did not use their fists. They used their forearms and elbows and knees, just like they are trained to do.

"I would hope the public would give us the benefit of the doubt in situations like this," Mansour said.

To prove it, the Villa Rica Police Department released a body camera video that shows officers pinning the man against a police car as officers try to arrest him.

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A video circulating on Facebook shows a bystander's view of the arrest from a different perspective, prompting speculation of excessive police force.

Police say the arrest came about when Tyler Reynolds, 27, outside Stix Bar and Grill, resisted arrest when he was asked to leave.

Mansour said Villa Rica officers were called at least four separate times during the day because Reynolds was yelling at people and was asked to leave a grocery store and a drug store. On one occasion he was reported walking in the middle of the street, but by the time police arrived Reynolds was no longer in the street.

Reynolds was then asked to leave after he allegedly failed to pay for food he ordered at Stix Bar and Grill. When police arrived, someone agreed to pay his bill if he left.

At the start of the bodycam video, officers arrive at the bar a second time after Reynolds was allegedly harassing customers, asking for drugs, and refusing to leave.

Finally, officers offered to give Reynolds a ride to Post Road, out of town. They said he could either have a ride out of town or go to jail. The bodycam video shows officers repeatedly offering Reynolds a ride, but Reynolds kept refusing to answer, insisting he hadn't done anything wrong. Officers then tried to handcuff him, telling him he was under arrest.

Officers asked Reynolds to turn around and put his hands behind his back. When Reynolds refused, and didn't cooperate with being handcuffed, the video shows things escalated, getting physical.

Officers can be heard saying, "Quit resisting! Now you are going to jail for obstruction! Give us your hands!"

In the video, you see an officer using his elbow and forearm to hit Reynolds in the back which is what Mansour said they're trained to do. He pointed out that when Reynolds was kneed in the leg, it is also a part of their training.

Mansour said Reynolds was not injured and did not request medical attention.

Reynolds is charged him with criminal trespass and obstruction and is being held on $4,500 bond.

Video and photo courtesy Villa Rica Police Department