MOBILE, Ala. -- Mobile police have concluded their investigation into an officer who was caught on YouTube punching a man who had just led police on a car chase, Police Chief Phillip Garrett said today.

Officer Patrick Luckett admitted hitting the man twice, and will face a trial board in the next few weeks on a charge of excessive force, Garrett said.On July 23, police were pursuing David Pate, 34, through west Mobile. He refused to stop, and hit two police cars during the chase, Garrett said.

The chase ended on Hillcrest Road near Airport Boulevard, but even after Pate stopped driving, he refused to get out of the car. Officers had to break the driver side window and pull Pate from the car, Garrett said.

Pate was laid on the hood of the car, while to officers attempted to restrain him. The third, Luckett, circled around the hood and can be seen in the YouTube video striking something five times. Garrett said that investigators enhanced the video and saw that Luckett struck Pate twice, but his other blows glanced off the car.

"We won't condone any excessive use of force," Garrett said. "He (Luckett) admits that he did it, and that does mean something to me."



For the complete report, see tomorrow's edition of the Press-Register.