Alabama officer reportedly caught on video laughing while using stun gun on Black man

A white police officer in Reform, Alabama has been placed on administrative leave after a viral video showed her berating and roughing up a Black man during a traffic stop.

On Monday, December 4th, Reform Police Chief Richard Black released a joint statement with Mayor Melody Davis in response to backlash over the clip, which was shared on Facebook Sunday, December 3rd.

Reform Alabama police officer in hot water

In the video, the official, identified as Officer Diana Elmore, handcuffed Micah Washington, 24, and placed him against the hood of her patrol car. After the Washington informed her of a gun in his possession, she retrieved the weapon while laughing and fired a stun gun directly into his back.

“You want it again?” she could be heard asking as the man cried in pain. “Shut the f–k up, you was big and bad. Shut your b–ch a– up.”

Traumatizing experience

Washington’s attorney, Leory Maxwell, Jr., released a full statement about the December 2nd incident.

The statement explains Washington and two passengers were driving along CR 27 in Pickens County when they had to pull over to fix a flat tire. Reform Police Officer Dana Elmore approached Washington and “demanded his identification”, according to the statement.

Washington “sensing hostility” provided his ID and began recording the interaction for his safety. The statement says Elmore “instantly became infuriated” and tased Washington on the back. Then after Washington was on the hood of her car he was tased again “with no justification.”

In the cellphone video taken by Washington’s younger brother, you can see Washington crying and pleading for Elmore to stop. Washington’s attorney says his client was the victim of a “cruel, hateful, excessive use of force.”

Maxwell says his office has received numerous other complaints about Elmore’s conduct which he is working to verify.

About a week after the incident, Washington did an interview with ABC 3340 News telling his version of the events saying he was traumatized. You can watch the video here.

Mayor Melody Davis confirmed that Officer Moore was placed on administrative leave but did not provide any further details.

Photo by Gabriel Hohol: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-police-car-roof-and-sign-10543088/