A Florida police sergeant has lost his job after using a Taser on a Black man who said he was having a seizure while receiving medical care at home. The sergeant also faces accusations of mistreating an EMS worker.
The incident has drawn public backlash after video of the encounter circulated online.
Dwight Jackson was outside his Chattahoochee, Florida, home putting up Halloween decorations on Sunday, Oct. 25, when he suddenly suffered a seizure and collapsed.
His brother, Caleb Johns, called emergency services and told WCTV that the seizure had lasted approximately 10 minutes before medical personnel arrived.
According to Johns, Jackson was already receiving medical treatment when a Chattahoochee police sergeant identified as Sgt. Price arrived about 45 minutes later. Johns alleged that the officer pushed aside those assisting Jackson, climbed on top of him, and deployed his Taser.
“They are all still rendering aid to him; they are already holding him down; they pretty much got it under control; this is just now when he’s starting to come back to. And in that moment, that’s when Price started; he shoves everyone out of the way and jumps on top of Dwight,” Johns said.
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Johns began recording the encounter on his phone. The footage later circulated on social media, attracting thousands of views and drawing criticism from people questioning why an officer used force against someone experiencing a medical emergency, especially when the medical personnel on scene informed officers that Jackson had just suffered a seizure.
Although EMS workers and family members told Price that Jackson was having a seizure, Price argued with EMS, threatened the crowd to stay back and pinned Jackson to the ground. Price allegedly used his Taser on Jackson multiple times.
Jackson said the encounter left him frightened and worried about what might have happened if the Taser had not worked.
“I think the dude would kill me, I really feel like that would have either beat me up or tried to shoot me if that taser didn’t work the next time,” Jackson said.
The Chattahoochee Police Department offered a different account of the encounter.
Police Chief Michael Miller said emergency medical personnel had difficulty restraining what he described as a “combative individual.” Miller said Price arrived to assist and encountered “physical resistance,” claiming Jackson pulled on the officer’s body armor.
Jackson disputed that description, saying he was not fighting with officers but experiencing a seizure.
“I’ve never experienced in my life something like this right here,” Jackson said. “That’s why I said that was more terrifying than being in the war because it’s unexpected; I’m defenseless.”
Miller also addressed a second video showing Price arguing with an emergency medical services employee. The chief said the sergeant’s conduct and demeanor fell short of departmental expectations and confirmed that he fired Price.
Miller said the department recognized the concerns raised by the incident and maintained that officers must answer for their conduct.
Kenyata Jackson, who was driving through the neighborhood when the incident occurred, said she felt disturbed after watching the footage and thinking about what the family experienced.
“It was very horrible, and I just felt bad for the family and Jackson because if you’re calling EMT and police to help you because you’re having a seizure, but yet you’re getting tased, like what was the problem?” she said.
She also called for changes in how the city hires and evaluates police officers, arguing that incidents involving excessive force do not always receive widespread attention.
“This is not uncommon; it just doesn’t get that many views and likes,” Kenyata Jackson said. “The city council and city manager need to start screening these officers better before hiring them in.”
Police did not book Price into jail following the encounter. He said officers placed him in the back of a patrol vehicle before eventually releasing him.
According to WCTV, Jackson is now considering legal action.
The department confirmed Price’s dismissal but has not said whether it plans to take further disciplinary action or pursue legal proceedings.
Florida Cop Shoves Past EMS to Tase Black Man Having a Seizure Multiple Times, Video Shows
