VIDEO: Body cam shows man chased, tackled, arrested by CMPD officers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police body camera video of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers show them arresting a suspect after a police chase.

Channel 9 obtained the video from the suspect himself and Eyewitness News reporter Paul Boyd is breaking down why that man wants the video made public.

The video was recorded in March 2016.

Before his arrest, CMPD officers said James Yarborough forced an officer into oncoming traffic, injuring him, then took off running and that's where the body camera video begins.

Court records show that officers tried to stop Yarborough in connection to a theft investigation.

Yarborough admits he took off running.

“I know, I ran, I ran,” Yarborough told Boyd.

(Click PLAY to watch the body cam video)

The video shows Officer Jon Dunham point a gun to Yarborough's head and say, "I will kill you."

CMPD told Channel 9 in a statement there was no wrongdoing.

“An internal investigation concluded that due to the totality of the events, Officer Dunham's use of force did not violate department policies and or directives,” the statement read in part. “It was recommended that Officer Dunham receive additional verbal communication training following the incident.”

Dunham later resigned from CMPD.

Yarborough has been arrested multiple times previously and admitted to serving 16 years in prison.

He says he's looking for an attorney to sue CMPD.

Yarborough was charged with resisting a public officer, felony assault on an officer and possession of a firearm by a felon. All three charges were dismissed.

Sen. Joel Ford released a statement that read, "from what we know now, restraining Mr. Yarborough was justified. The persistent use of force and threat against his life was not, however."

CMPD statement:

"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit conducted an investigation concerning the circumstances involving a use of force case that occurred March 26, 2016, involving Officer Jon Dunham.

During the incident, Officer Dunham engaged in a foot pursuit with James Yarborough, a suspect who was detained during a felony car stop and ran from officers.  Officer Dunham and other officers pursued the suspect on foot for more than three minutes before they subsequently caught up with him. 

Officer Dunham and other officers attempted to arrest the suspect who was resisting and refused officers commands to comply and show them both of his hands to ensure that he did not have a gun.  Officer Dunham subsequently drew his service weapon and pointed it at the suspect in order to gain compliance and place him under arrest.

After nearly a four minute struggle, the officers were able to take Mr. Yarborough into custody.

An internal investigation concluded that due to the totality of the events, Officer Dunham’s use of force did not violate department policies and or directives.  It was recommended that Officer Dunham receive additional verbal communication training following the incident. Prior to adjudication, Officer Dunham resigned from the CMPD.

A gun was also located in the passenger area of where Mr. Yarborough was seated during the car stop. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting arrest. Both of those charges were later dismissed."

Cox Media Group