A Florida police officer has been fired after video surfaced showing him dragging a woman across the ground during a jail booking.
Patrol Officer Gregory Damon was fired after an investigation found he “violated multiple policies” by admitting an inmate at the Orient Road Jail in Tampa, the Tampa Police Department announced Tuesday.
Damon was called to the Tampa Family Health Center on Nov. 17 with a report that someone was sleeping outside the property and refusing to leave, according to a news release. Officers found and arrested an adult female, who had previously been issued a warning for trespassing on the same property, police said.
After Damon and the suspect arrived at the jail, the woman allegedly refused to get out of the car and began yelling at the officer.
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Tampa patrol officer Gregory Damon was fired after an investigation found he “violated multiple policies” during an arrest, authorities said.
(Tampa Police Department)
“I want you to drag me!” the woman yelled, according to the statement.
Damon, hired by the department in 2016, allegedly grabbed the woman by the arm and dragged her from the car to the jail entrance.
“Throughout the incident, the woman repeatedly used vulgar and obscene language,” the statement said. “Instead of remaining professional, Damon himself made rude and derogatory comments to the arrestee.”
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Patrol officer Gregory Damon was fired after an investigation found he “violated multiple policies” during an arrest.
(Tampa Police Department)
The police department explained that it revised its policy in 2013 to add specific language warning officers that dragging an uncooperative individual “is never an appropriate practice.”
“Damon did not follow established procedures during the November 17 incident. TPD learned of Damon’s actions through supervisors at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the county’s detention facility,” the news release reads.
“TPD’s Office of Professional Standards immediately opened an investigation into the incident on November 18. Damon was immediately relieved of his duties, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
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The press release added that the decision to fire Damon was made after he was unable to provide a “clear rationale” for his actions during an interview with investigators.
“Professionalism is not only expected, but required, in every encounter our officers have with the public, regardless of whether the arrestee is uncooperative or unpleasant in return. As law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard “Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
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Orient Road Jail in Tampa, Florida.
(Google Maps)
The former officer’s actions were “unacceptable and not tolerated” by the department, the chief added.
“The actions of one individual should not cloud the work of the nearly 1,000 officers who protect and serve our city who, on any given day, encounter individuals who choose not to cooperate during the arrest and booking process.” Bercaw said, “however, they do not allow the actions of that individual to deter them from following established policies and procedures for security.”
