County Corrections Officer Cleared of Excessive Force Charges

An Atlantic County Justice Facility corrections officer was cleared of charges relating to an excessive force claim from 2007, Atlantic County officials announced Monday morning, Dec. 10.

The officers had been accused of using excessive force against Kyleah Street, who was 17 at the time, while transporting her from the Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center to the county justice facility on Sept. 27, 2007, according to county officials.

The jury in a U.S. District Court unanimously found that the any force used by the officer was "a good faith effort to maintain and restore discipline and did not constitute excessive force," according to county officials.

“Our corrections officers are highly trained and skilled professionals who have a responsibility to protect public safety within the limits of the law,” Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said. “Atlantic County will defend itself against frivolous lawsuits that seek monetary damages for perceived injuries. Case in point, end of story.”