so.

Deputies believed the driver might have been associated with the domestic assault, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies eventually used a tire-deflation device and approached the driver after he exited the vehicle.

Body-worn camera footage shows a deputy ordering the man to get on the ground during what deputies were treating as a high-risk stop.

The footage then shows physical contact between a deputy and the man before he falls forward and is handcuffed.

What the video shows

The Sheriff's Office acknowledged video circulating online that appears to show the man's head making contact with a curb.

Dyer said the department's body-worn camera footage provides additional perspectives and does not clearly establish contact with the curb when reviewed in its entirety.

All available body-worn camera footage will be considered as part of the Internal Affairs investigation, along with other evidence and the circumstances surrounding the encounter, Dyer said.

The man did not sustain serious physical injuries, according to the Sheriff's Office.

He was treated for a minor scrape to his knee before being lodged at the jail and later received an additional medical evaluation.

Expert weighs in

Local 4 spoke to Darnell Blackburn, a crime and safety expert, who offered context on how moments like this should be evaluated.

 The sheriff's office has much more context than we do, and even maybe more than what they've released to the public,  Blackburn said.  In a situation like this, it has to be reviewed. The situation and the context has to be reviewed, the entire situation has to be looked at, and they have to make a decision based on that. 

Blackburn also noted the challenge deputies face in rapidly evolving situations.

 When an officer rushes in, you're excited, because you don't know what this person has,  Blackburn said.  They obviously have not had an opportunity to pat the person down. They are rushing to the scene. But when they are being compliant like that, you have to be mindful of your aggression level when you're approaching a suspect. 

Civil rights attorney David A. Robinson, who specializes in police misconduct, told us that a department's training is critical in situations like this.

 Police departments have a tendency to ignore human propensity in their training and in their supervision, and that is what gives rise to these very situations,  Robinson said.

Family reacts

The man's mother told Local 4 she woke up to the video circulating on social media.

 It was heartwrenching,  she said.  I instantly jumped up, and I was scared to death, ya know, because I heard his head hit that curb and I am like  he's gotta be hurt.' … If my son did something wrong, I do respect the law, and I understand they have a job to do, I just feel that it is excessive to hit somebody to where they hit their head that hard on the ground. 

Driver not connected to domestic assault

After the arrest, deputies determined the driver was not the person suspected in the domestic assault, according to the Sheriff's Office.

He was instead arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated and other alleged conduct related to entering the secured scene and failing to stop.

Those criminal allegations are separate from the administrative review of the deputies' conduct and will be handled through the judicial process.

The Sheriff's Office said deputies attended to the children in the man's vehicle and released them to a family member.

The children involved in the domestic assault response were also located safely and released to family.

Next steps

Dyer said the department is not reaching conclusions about the deputies' conduct before the Internal Affairs investigation is complete.

If the investigation finds that an employee violated applicable policies or professional standards, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, department policy and applicable personnel procedures, Dyer said.

The Sheriff's Office is also reinforcing expectations surrounding use of force, de-escalation and professional communication.

The department plans to expand de-escalation training related to high-risk stops and invest in emotional-intelligence training for personnel.

Dyer said those steps do not represent a conclusion about the conduct of any employee involved in the Aug. 28 incident.

The Sheriff's Office has also made the body-worn camera footage, use-of-force policies, and a community feedback form available to the public as the investigation continues.