North Carolina police chief resigns in wake of beating video

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina police chief has announced her resignation in the wake of a video which showed one of her officers beating a black pedestrian.

[READ MORE: Police body video shows officer beating accused jaywalker]

Asheville City Manager Cathy Ball announced Wednesday Police Chief Tammy Hooper will resign effective Jan. 2 and will pursue consulting opportunities. Hooper was hired in 2015.

[PAST COVERAGE: Mock signs, vandalism reported after alleged police beating]

Word of the resignation follows the revelation of the beating of pedestrian Johnnie Jermaine Rush by then-officer Christopher Hickman.

[READ MORE: Officer accused in jaywalker's beating won't be charged]

Video of the beating was leaked to the newspaper, and city officials later released additional video detailing what occurred after Rush was punched and choked by Hickman, who is white.

According to city officials, Hooper first tried to resign before the Citizen Times published Hickman's leaked body cam footage in February.

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Associated Press