Dolly Parton's sister claims excessive use of force by Metro Police officers in 2015 incident
06/23/2020 11:37 am PDT
via WSMV:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -- Stella Parton, the sister of country music icon Dolly Parton, is calling for police reform after she says police used excessive force on her -- including a choke hold -- when they responded to a silent alarm at her then-home in Oak Hills in 2015.
Parton told News4 Investigates that she decided to come forward with her story after seeing nationwide protests calling for police reform.
Parton said she accidentally set off the panic alarm on Feb 8, 2015 at her home. Having experienced two break-ins before, she says she had purchased a handgun and received her carry permit. When police knocked, she placed the gun on a table beside the door.
The officers said that Parton had grown irate after being asked to identify herself as the homeowner. In the internal report, they say they warned Parton to stay away from the gun, and that she stated, “You can't tell me what to do,” and picked it up. The officers said they used “soft restraint” to take away the gun. But Parton said one of the officers put her in a choke hold, while another grabbed her arms. Parton said one of the officers then dismantled the gun before leaving.
An internal police investigation obtained by News4 Investigates exonerates all of the officers whom Parton accused of excessive force.
MORE: Sister of Dolly Parton claims excessive use of force by Metro Police officers - WSMV