Mo. Cop Fired Over Excessive Force Fights for Job

A veteran Missouri police officer was fired Wednesday by a chief who said he used excessive force against a prisoner in a holding cell.

Officer Rob Sanders, an 18-year veteran of the Columbia Police Department, was fired following an internal investigation that appears to have been interpreted differently by the officer and chief.

While Chief Ken Burton didn't name the officer, Sanders issued a statement later saying he had been cleared by an internal probe and would fight the firing via an appeals process.

The officer was placed on administrative leave with pay on Aug. 24, nine days after the assault on a prisoner who had been pepper-sprayed while resisting arrest.

Officer Sanders was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 24, eight days after he apparently pushed a prisoner who had been pepper-sprayed while resisting arrest.

Sources: Kansas City Star/Associated Press , Columbia Missourian .