Florida Cop Fired for Misuse of Taser

A police officer in Zephyrhills, Florida, was fired at the beginning of October after his use of a taser on a man with his arms in the air was deemed excessive. The incident was captured by a camera mounted on the officer’s taser.

Officer Tim Claussen, a 10-year veteran of the force, was investigating a shoplifting offence and confronted a suspect, Lester Brown, in his home on September 9. In the footage, Brown can be seen raising his arms, protesting the charges and offering no resistance. Claussen repeatedly demands that Brown exit the house before firing the taser.

Both the Zephyrhills city attorney, Joseph Poblick, and Zephyrhills Police Chief David Shears told press the decision to fire Claussen was justified. Credit: Zephyrhills Police Department