JSO corrections officer arrested and fired after allegedly hitting, deploying pepper spray against shackled arrestee

Jacksonville, FL — A corrections officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has been arrested and fired, after an alleged incident involving a suspect who had been brought in to the Duval County Jail on June 29th.

According to JSO, Officer Catherine Thompson and the suspect exchanged some 'verbal disparaging comments,' with things taking a physical turn.

Investigators say Thompson struck the arrestee in the face, knocking her to the ground. Thompson is accused of then following her to the ground and hitting her multiple more times. Police say pepper spray was also deployed against the arrestee.

During this entire encounter, the arrestee was said to be in four-point restraints, which includes handcuffs and leg shackles that are attached with a chain.

Thompson is now being charged with misdemeanor battery, as well as official misconduct-- a third-degree felony. JSO says the official misconduct charge stems from the report she wrote about the incident. Police felt she was not 'honest' in her interpretation of events.

Thompson had been with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 14 months, meaning she was still on probation, and could be terminated without further administrative proceedings.

JSO did not release any details about the comments exchanged between the two.