Florida police officer fired after video exhibits him dragging handcuffed girl into jail

A police officer in Tampa, Florida, who was videotaped dragging a handcuffed girl into jail has been fired, authorities stated.

An inside investigation decided that former officer Gregory Damon violated division insurance policies throughout the Nov. 17 incident, the Tampa Police Department announced Tuesday in a news launch.

The girl was being arrested for trespassing, in line with the discharge. A physique digital camera video exhibits her refusing to go away Damon’s car whereas parked on the Orient Road Jail and telling the officer, “I want you to drag me.”

Damon then removes the girl from the car and pulls her by the arm throughout a concrete flooring, stopping as soon as to inform her to rise up however the girl refuses. Damon drags the girl to a doorway then buzzes for added officers to help him earlier than the physique digital camera video launched by the Tampa Police Department cuts off.

Damon can be heard making derogatory feedback on the girl as he continued to tug her, CBS affiliate WTSP reported. 

The company stated it revised coverage in 2013 to forbid officers from dragging uncooperative suspects on the bottom. Officers ought to as a substitute search help from jail reserving workers or different legislation enforcement, police stated.

“The actions of one individual should not tarnish the work of the nearly 1,000 officers protecting and serving our city who, on any given day, encounter people who choose to be uncooperative during the arresting and booking process; however, they do not let the actions of that individual deter them from following the policies and procedures put in place for safety,”  stated Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “This former officer’s actions were unacceptable and are not tolerated at this department, which is why we acted swiftly in initiating an internal investigation, relieving him of his duties, and ultimately terminating his employment.”

Damon was initially relieved of his duties the day after the incident with the girl and was then suggested of his termination on Tuesday, WTSP reviews.  Damon had been with the Tampa Police Department since 2016.