Florida police officer fired after allegedly using Taser on man experiencing seizure

Dwight Jackson says he was recovering from a medical emergency when an officer used a Taser on him. Police say the officer was responding to reports of resistance.

A Florida police sergeant has been fired following an encounter with a man who says he was experiencing a seizure when the officer used a Taser on him.

Dwight Jackson was putting up Halloween decorations outside his home in Chattahoochee, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 25, when he suffered a seizure and collapsed, according to WCTV.

Jackson’s brother, Caleb Johns, called for emergency medical assistance. Johns said the seizure lasted approximately 10 minutes before paramedics arrived.

About 45 minutes after emergency personnel began helping Jackson, a Chattahoochee police sergeant identified as Price arrived at the scene. Jackson and his brother allege that the officer climbed on top of him and used a Taser, despite the fact that Jackson was recovering from a medical emergency.

Johns recorded part of the encounter on his cellphone. The footage subsequently circulated on social media, drawing attention to the officer’s actions.

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Jackson, who disputed suggestions that he was being combative, told WCTV that the encounter left him terrified.

“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.”

Police Chief Michael Miller offered a different account of what led to the confrontation.

According to Miller, emergency medical personnel had requested assistance because they were struggling to restrain someone he described as combative. The chief said Jackson physically resisted Price and pulled on the officer’s body armor.

Jackson maintained that he was experiencing a seizure rather than deliberately resisting police.

The department also reviewed footage of a separate verbal confrontation between Price and an emergency medical services employee. Miller said the sergeant’s conduct and demeanor fell short of the department’s professional standards, and the officer was terminated.

Jackson said he was placed in the back of a patrol car but was never formally booked into jail. He was eventually released.

The incident has left Jackson considering legal action.