Controversial arrests captured on video have prompted the Savannah Police chief to suspend several officers and acknowledge the need for change within the department.

But did Chief Lenny Gunther go far enough in his discipline of the SPD cops?

Kevin Grogan, a former detective with the Savannah Police Department and member of the EXPO team known for handling perilous suspects in the city, has documented his experiences in his books “Black Sheep White Cop” and “Ruffian,” which delve into crime-related issues in Savannah.

Grogan watched both SPD released body camera videos with to analyze the tactics by the officers.

“I commend them,” Grogan expressed. “While I believe there are administrative and training matters the police department must address, I’m not going to undermine the actions these officers took. The situation could have turned out much worse. What if circumstances had escalated further? It could have been far more serious than it was.”

Some of the words yelled by officers during the arrest of Markel Robinson back in July of 2024 were, “You’re gonna get shot. You’re gonna get shot. He’s reaching into his waistband.”

It took SPD nine months before they began investigating this case. Robinson was a wanted rape and aggravated assault suspect who ran from police.

Initially after seeing the body camera video, a Savannah Police “Use of Force” Board recommended two officers Sgt. Sam Hunt and Cpl. Alan Contreras, be fired for their role in Robinson’s arrest.

Chief Gunther reversed that decision and chose to suspend those officers.

“We took everything into consideration,” said Gunther. “We didn’t knee jerk the recommendation. And the executive police leadership team really took their time in breaking down a very complex incident which resulted in these recommendations.”

Grogan understands the public will focus on the extra punches and taser strike while Robinson was on the ground. But with only one angle on this video, there is more information needed to understand all their reasoning.

“We can’t see exactly what’s going on. We see one arm where they’re holding it. We do not see his left arm,” Grogan said. “The reason for the taser and the strikes is to get control of that other arm that we can’t see. And it turns out in this case; he was not armed. Thank God. Thank God for him. Thank God for the officers involved. But until they know and have it absolutely under control and stop, they don’t know that.”

He continued, “How many times have we seen in the past, even here in Savannah, that even when somebody is in handcuffs they’re still armed? You don’t know until you’ve done a thorough search. So, there’s no way to tell from that video what was going on with his left hand. So, again, the strikes, the taser, while any use of force looks ugly, I think in that instance, from what I’m saying, is perfectly justified.”

The other video under investigation involved a mother and son arrested last month. Que Maine Williams and Verner Ross were both picked up for charges including obstruction of justice after a confrontation with police.

The video went viral and even drew the attention of Mayor Van Johnson who asked for a further investigation by SPD.

Chief Gunther determined the officers were “within policy” during this arrest. One officer was reprimanded for their language during the arrest.

“Mom’s intentions here are very pure and she’s trying to take care of her son,” Grogan said. “But they don’t know that. What if mom sees you put your hands on the son, and she engages? She didn’t in this case. But what if what if what if? And that’s got to be trained professional police officers’ mindset. How can this go wrong and how do I prevent it from going wrong? The way you prevent that from escalating to a use of a deadly use of deadly force situation is you control both subjects. And they did that.”

In reaction to these use-of-force incidents and the issues with reporting them to police leaders, Gunther announced changes will be made to the use-of-force review process and board. Those include adding community and faith-based members.

Gunther announced he’s implemented at 24-hour review period after each use-of-force incident. He also said SPD will expand training and improve transparency.

Gunther said this board can make recommendations on discipline, but ultimately, it’s his decision.

It is that statement and some of the decisions made by SPD and the City of Savannah recently which have Grogan concerned and not surprised there would be issues.

“It all stems from the Department being short and the lack of training. They don’t have the time to take the training,” Grogan said. “They do use of force training, but they don’t do enough defensive tactics training, which is hands on putting. You’re using these techniques and becoming proficient with them.”

“The bigger thing that I see in this, in this whole thing is the vacillation from between City Hall and the executive staff, the leadership of the police department. There is no leadership in the police department. And that’s a terrible thing to say. But you’re fired. You’re not fired. You’re suspended. What message does that send to the rank and file? You’re having recruiting and retention problems, and you wonder why.”