Tallahassee cops suspended for tasing 62-year-old African American woman
Tallahassee, FL – On Jan. 26, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo announced that two officers involved with using a stun gun on 62-year-old African American woman Viola Young will be suspended without pay, a sharp reversal from the officers being placed on administrative leave with pay.
Officer Mahan tasered Frenchtown resident Viola Young in the back last October. This sparked national outrage when the video of the brutality went viral. Tallahassee Dream Defenders held actions at State Attorney Willie Meggs office, putting pressure on him and Chief DeLeo to file charges against Officer Mahan.
Now Chief DeLeo has succumbed to public pressure and suspended the two officers without pay, a move rarely made by a police chief in Tallahassee or Florida for incidents of police misconduct.
“I am glad that the officers was punished for their excessive use of force against Ms. Young and the police chief admitted they did the wrong thing but it isn't enough,” said Brian Marshall, Lead Organizer for the Tallahassee Dream Defenders. “It is the people of Tallahassee who have to continue to hold police accountable for their actions and to make sure they hear our voices on the streets and we want corrupt cops off of our streets.”
Tallahassee Dream Defenders still are demanding that Chief DeLeo and the city of Tallahassee fire Officer Mahan. For more information on their campaign against police brutality, follow their website at tallyddod.wordpress.com