You Couldn't Hang with Me': Tampa Officer Fired After Tasing Black Suspect During Traffic Stop

Tampa police fired Officer Dukagjin Maxhuni after an internal investigation found he improperly used a Taser on a Black suspect during a February traffic stop. Body camera footage showed Maxhuni deployed the Taser without giving the man adequate time to comply before later making threatening remarks during the arrest.

The incident occurred on February 25, when Maxhuni and another officer attempted to stop a Toyota Tundra for a traffic violation. The driver initially fled but was soon located by the officers.

Upon seeing Maxhuni exit an unmarked police vehicle, the driver got out of the truck and walked down a sidewalk with his hands raised. Despite this, Maxhuni deployed his Taser, causing the man to fall to the ground.

As the suspect lay on the sidewalk, Maxhuni reportedly said, "You're lucky I didn't beat you up." Subsequently, the Tampa Police Department discovered the misconduct during a routine quality assurance audit of body camera footage. Officials conducted an internal investigation, which led to Maxhuni's termination.

Investigators determined that Maxhuni failed to reassess the situation or give the suspect adequate time to comply before deploying the Taser. Department officials concluded that de-escalation tactics should have been used instead of immediately resorting to force.

Body camera footage also captured additional remarks investigators described as unprofessional. After the suspect questioned why he had been tased, Maxhuni replied, "You couldn't hang with me, dude," before continuing to make disparaging comments while the man remained on the sidewalk.

Later, investigators concluded that Maxhuni violated department policies involving standards of conduct, response to resistance, failure to comply, judgment, communication, prisoner care and professionalism. Officials also cited a similar disciplinary case from 2022, saying the latest incident established a continuing pattern of misconduct.

Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Maxhuni's conduct represented "a clear betrayal" of the department's responsibility to treat every person with dignity and respect. Maxhuni, who joined the department in 2013, was placed on administrative leave during the investigation before being terminated.

Separately, union officials said Maxhuni plans to challenge the termination through the grievance process. The Tampa Police Benevolent Association argued the full circumstances surrounding the arrest should be considered before any final conclusions are reached.