According to news reports, Thomas was a passenger in her own car while being driven by Demitri Washington, 31. Officers saw Washington hit the back of a city garbage truck and then drive away without stopping. It turns out that Washington did not have a valid driver’s license and was wanted for felony burglary. He was also accused of being drunk and resisting arrest.
Police officers allege that Thomas got out of the car despite orders to stay in the car. Officers said that she announced that she was the daughter of council member Thomas. While she was then told to lay on the street, police say she dropped to her knees and put her hands above her head. That is when Plummer shot her in the back with the taser.
Plummer was put on suspension and the department soon announced that “[a] preliminary review shows he is not in compliance with our standards and he is being investigated for unnecessary and excessive use of force.” While departments often prove defensive in such circumstances, the Chief of the department also criticized the officers as using excessive force on the council member’s daughter, here. The police union objects to the fast condemnation of Plummer.
Plummer has previously been accused of excessive force and has been previously reprimanded. He was even fired from the force once but reinstated after an appeal.
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