TAMPA -- A police officer is off the job after his superior determined he violated policies while booking an inmate into jail.
TPD's internal investigators found that Gregory Damon violated several policies, including searching, transporting and booking prisoners, and bodycam use, among others.
On November 17th, Damon answered a call about someone sleeping outside the Tampa Family Health Center on North 22nd Street. She had been trespassed on October 19th but refused to leave.
TPD says that when the patrol car arrived at jail, the subject refused to walk to the jail door, yelling "I want you to drag me!" and made various vulgar comments. TPD says Damon responded in kind, instead of remaining professional.
The Hillsborough sheriff's office notified TPD, which began an investigation.
TPD says it revised its policy following a similar incident in 2013. It says dragging someone is never appropriate. Instead, the officer should ask for assistance from jail staff to get the individual into a restraining chair.
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