A Georgia police officer is under fire after dash cam footage shows him trying to calm a nervous driver by telling her "We only kill black people."
On the tape, the woman is heard telling the officer she's afraid to move her hands because of recent police-involved shootings.
The Cobb County officer, later identified as Lieutenant Greg Abbott tried to calm the woman by saying:
"Remember, we only kill black people. We only kill black people, right?"
A local news station says the department has confirmed the comments and Abbott has been placed on administrative duties while the incident is being investigated.
Abbott's lawyer, Lance LoRusso says the officer was only trying to "de-escalate a situation involving an uncooperative passenger."
"In context, his comments were clearly aimed at attempting to gain compliance by using the passenger's own statements and reasoning to avoid making an arrest."
Cobb County Police Chief Mike Register says there has never been a racial complaint filed against Abbott.
"No matter what the context, statements like these are unacceptable and are not indicative of the type of culture we are trying to facilitate here in the police department, as well as within the county."