Former Lake Charles Police officer Robert Hammac has pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom to using excessive force during a police chase in 2017. U-S Attorney David Joseph says when the chase ended, Hammac ran to the front passenger door and grabbed the defendant.
“This police officer started punching the defendant and actually pulled him back into the vehicle that he was attempting to exit so that he can punch him additional times,” said Joseph.
Joseph says the victim was not resisting in any way or posing a threat. He says the Department of Justice supports police officers, but Hammac’s actions betray the badge and the public’s trust.
“This kind of conduct actually makes their work more dangerous, because it detracts from the respect and authority in police in general,” said Joseph.
Hammac pleaded guilty to a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
Hammac will be sentenced in November and Joseph says the 45-year-old faces up to ten years in prison.
“If police officers are not following the law we have to hold them accountable,” said Joseph.
