The Tallahassee Police Department released video of one of its own using force on a suspect after a separately recorded video went viral the day before.
Officer Shawn Wright is currently suspended amid an investigation after being caught on a cellphone video flipping Dalton McKnight off his feet and slamming him on his head. McKnight was arrested and charged with a hit and run and resisting arrest, two misdemeanors.
McKnight’s arrest happened on March 25, with the first video being uploaded to Instagram on Sunday and the second video posted to YouTube on Monday. It features Wright’s body camera footage.
APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS CONVICTION OF EX-DALLAS POLICE OFFICER AMBER GUYGER
“I will have to wait until that investigation is complete and have the facts in front of me to render a decision [on Wright],” said TPD Chief Lawrence Revell. In the meantime, Wright is reportedly on paid administrative leave.
Big Bend Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association President Richard Murphy issued a statement Wednesday, calling Wright’s actions “reasonable force to effectuate the arrest.”
“A video taken of the incident and posted on social media by bystanders has unfairly characterized Officer Wright’s actions as an excessive use of force,” Murphy wrote. “We believe this false narrative has created a rush to judgement before the video has been properly reviewed from all angles.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
McKnight was released on his $250 bail. He sustained no injuries, according to his incident report.
