Florida police fired for video dragging woman to jail

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa police officer was fired Tuesday after showing a video of him dragging a woman to jail last month.

The Tampa Police Department said Gregory Damon was fired after an internal investigation determined he violated multiple departmental policies when booking inmates at Orient Road Prison.

On November 17, police said the woman was sleeping outside the facility and would not leave, and was called to the Tampa Family Health Center on North 22nd Street.

Officers said the woman had received a warning for trespassing on the same property in October. She was arrested by Damon and put in jail, the agency said.

When they arrived at Orient Road Prison, the woman refused to get out of her patrol car and stepped into the central reservation room. said.

Tampa Police said Damon grabbed the woman’s arm and dragged her out of the car to the prison entrance. Damon then rang the door and two deputies came to his aid, lifting the woman off the ground and beginning the prison containment process.

Police said the woman was not injured in the incident.

Throughout the incident, investigators said the woman repeatedly used vulgar and obscene language and that Damon made rude and derogatory comments to her.

Police said it was the correct procedure for Damon to ask the reservation staff for help.

The police department said it was made aware of Damon’s actions through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office supervisor, which operates the county’s detention facility.

“Professionalism is not only expected but demanded whenever our officers encounter members of the public, regardless of whether the arrestee is uncooperative or an unsavory reward. Law Enforcement Officers As such, we are held to a higher standard,” said Interim Police Chief Lee Barcoe. “The actions of one individual should not undermine the work of the nearly 1,000 police officers who protect and serve our city. At any time, we will encounter people who have chosen to do so, but will not let their behavior discourage us from following the policies and procedures put in place for safety.This former officer’s behavior is unacceptable and this department It is unacceptable, so we responded quickly to launching an internal investigation, removing him from his position, and ultimately terminating his employment.”

Police said Damon had been with the department since August 2016.