FERRIDAY —The interim Ferriday Police chief is investigating a complaint that police officers used excessive force and beat a man arrested earlier this week.

Harold Webster Jr., 35, 107 Brooks St., Ferriday, was arrested and charged Sunday with battery of a police officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit and run, aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer and public intimidation.

Courtland Morgan, Webster’s nephew, issued a public statement on behalf of Webster’s family describing how the Ferriday Police Department officers handled the arrest as a “blatant display of police brutality.”

“Far too many times has the administration failed to uphold the laws that are designed and meant to protect the people who reside within the very community in which they are intended to be embodied by competent officials,” the statement read. “As a result of such an untimely and repugnant occurrence, this matter has resulted in the brutal beating of an unarmed individual who was restrained by handcuffs, possessed no threat and presented no harm or danger to the arresting officers or general public.”

Photos sent by Morgan to The Natchez Democrat show what appear to be cuts, bruises and swelling on the right side of Webster’s face following the arrest.

Ferriday Interim Police Chief Derrick Freeman said he was working with the officers who handled the case to compile all the information about the situation before he would release any information.

“I can’t release any information until the officers have completed their reports, and I’ve gathered all the facts,” Freeman said. “I’m working with the officers now to do that.”

Freeman said he would make a decision after the reports were turned in as to whether the officers handled the arrest appropriately or used excessive force and decide if the officers would be disciplined.

Webster was released from the Concordia Parish jail Tuesday on a $10,000 bond.