A Pinellas County, Florida police officer has been relieved of duty as of Nov. 18 after falsifying a report and using excessive force against a Black woman.
At 9:40 p.m. on March 25, Pinellas County deputy Wayne Wagner, 28, pulled over a Black motorist at a Mobil gas station.
During the encounter, Wagner arrested the driver for driving with a suspended license. But the real trouble began after he allegedly told the passenger, a woman, to get out of the car.
Investigators revealed that the woman, identified as 26-year-old Paige Taylor, exited the vehicle from the driver’s side and took back her license, which goes counter to original reports, according FOX 13 News.
According to Diversityinc.com, the driver, 25-year-old Gage Moore, reportedly switched seats with Taylor because he was driving with a suspended license.
Gas station footage also shows Wagner re-enact the events of the encounter for his colleagues. The deputy initially stated in his report that Taylor snatched her license and shoved him in the chest, but the video footage showed that to be false.
As soon as the woman walks away, Wagner slams her into the truck, according to FOX 13.
Surveillance footage also shows Wagner throwing the woman around and then to the ground before arresting her for battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with violence.
However, Wagner was relieved of duty after investigators determined that Wagner used excessive force as seen in dash cam and surveillance footage.
