UPDATE: LRPD officer suspended for excessive force appeals decision

UPDATE: Lt. David Hudson is appealing his suspension.

Little Rockcity attorney Tom Carpenter says the case will go before the Little Rock CivilService Commission. Lt. Hudson has already started serving his suspension, butif the commission decides to rule in his favor, he would receive back pay forhis time off.

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) - A police officer is suspended more than a year after being accused of using excessive force during an arrest that was caught on camera.

According to a letter from the chief of police, Lt. David Hudson is suspended for 30 days without pay for the "type and degree of force" used during the 2011 arrest of Chris Erwin. The letter describes Lt. Hudson's actions as the type that "exceeded the force which was reasonable and necessary."

Click here to read the entire letter.

Lt. Hudson arrested Chris Erwin outside of the Hillcrest restaurant Ferneau (now called 21 Restaurant) on October 29, 2011. According to the original police report, Erwin and his friends tried to enter a private party inside the restaurant. He was asked to leave and refused. Soon after a struggle began between Erwin and Lt. Hudson.

A bystander caught the struggle on camera and posted the video to YouTube. In October 2011, Erwin's attorney, Keith Hall, told KATV Erwin's face was still black and blue nine days later and that Erwin had to get three stitches at hospital.

Click here to see the video.

Lt. Hudson will be suspended beginning November 12 and running through December 11. He will also be suspended from participating in any off-duty jobs during that 30 day period.

He has the right to appeal within 10 days.