UPDATE @ 3:45pm
The Montgomery Police Chief released a statement Monday saying the investigation has been turned over to the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

"The City of Montgomery takes the allegations of misconduct leveled against members of the Police Department as a serious matter, however, the right of due process and rule of law must be observed to insure that all parties are treated fairly and impartially," Pete Lopez said.

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MONTGOMERY, W.VA (WSAZ) -- A Montgomery police officer was fired and another officer was suspended after they were accused of beating a black man Friday night.

Twan Reynolds and his wife, Lauren, accused Shawn Hutchison and Matthew Leavitt of repeatedly hitting Twan Reynolds over the head Friday night with a blackjack, kicking him in the back and spraying his eyes with mace. They also say Leavitt repeatedly used a racial epithet against Reynolds, and Lauren Reynolds accused Leavitt of licking her neck during an interrogation and making derogatory comments. The officers and Lauren Reynolds were white.

Montgomery Mayor Jim Higgins said he fired Hutchinson Saturday for insubordination. Higgins said he would decide later about Leavitt, who also faces an insubordination charge.

Leavitt denied that he did anything improper.

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