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from the not-the-brightest-of-the-bunch dept.
A Florida cop has been fired for repeatedly using an electroshock weapon on a shoplifting suspect who was inside a residence with hands raised. The officer's police report said the suspect "refused to show his hands," according to local media.
Police authorities in Zephyrhills, Florida announced the firing of 10-year veteran officer Tim Claussen on Friday. The footage of Claussen tasering Lester Brown, who complained of shoulder aches and dizziness after he was arrested, was captured on the video camera attached to the officer's Taser.
"Come outside now, or you're about to get tased," Claussen said on the video. "This is the last time." Suddenly, Brown is shocked, and shortly afterward he's seen falling to the ground in the footage. According to the city attorney's office, "the deployment of the Taser was unjustified."
(Score: 2) by mendax on Wednesday October 07 2015, @08:44AM
Well, the dust of infamy and shame, in addition to the lawsuit that will be winging its way to him. Hopefully, the city will leave him hanging out to dry. However, I wonder where the police union is in this case. Police and prison guard unions seem to defend their own even when they have committed the worst offenses.
It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by LoRdTAW on Wednesday October 07 2015, @02:49PM
Most likely because there is damning evidence that proves the officer did in fact behave unprofessionally. Defending him would be a PR nightmare. If there was no body cam footage you can bet they would come out swinging.