5 downstate cops probed over use of force

BELLEVILLE -- Belleville's police chief says five of his officers are facing disciplining after a resident complained that police used excessive force while arresting him last month.

Chief Bill Clay isn't releasing details about the allegations or identifying the officers until the disciplinary process is over, perhaps sometime next month.

But Clay says the resident's complaint was reviewed and verified by the department's investigators. He says the officers played varying roles in the case.

The chief says the officers have not been placed on leave, and that he's moving toward firing one of them.

Clay isn't saying if he referred the matter to St. Clair County prosecutors.