Florida Police Officer Gregory Damon Fired For Dragging Handcuffed Woman Into Jail

A Florida police officer has been fired this week after being caught on video dragging a handcuffed woman into jail.

The Tampa Police Department fired Gregory Damon on Tuesday, following an internal investigation.

The ordeal occurred when Damon and other officers responded to the Tampa Family Health Center on Nov. 17 and arrested a woman who was sleeping outside the property and refused to leave.

That same woman was previously given a warning and arrested by Damon for trespassing at the same location in October.  The bodycam footage of the woman being brought into the Orient Road Jail shows her refusing to exit the squad car. She can be heard yelling “I want you to drag me!” at Damon, who grabbed her arm and pulled her across the parking lot.

“Throughout the incident, the female repeatedly used vulgar and obscene language,” the agency said. “Rather than remaining professional, Damon himself made rude and derogatory comments to the arrestee.”

The Tampa Police was reportedly alerted to Damon’s actions by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He was relieved of his duties on Nov. 18, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Professionalism is not only expected, it is demanded, in every encounter, our officers have with the public, regardless of the arrestee being uncooperative or unpleasant in return,” Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw said.

“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.”

Police said that the woman was not injured during the event.