News

Actions

Cape Coral officer under fire for throwing woman

Posted at 11:07 AM, Mar 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-15 10:05:15-04

CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Many in the community are upset with a recent video that show a member of the Cape Coral Police Department throwing a woman to the ground during a confrontation.

The video, posted to Facebook by Daniel Wirka, was recorded near the Dixie Roadhouse overnight Saturday and starts with a confrontation between a man and woman.  The woman appears to act belligerent towards the man, who continues to back away while she asks for her keys.  That's when the officer approaches the couple, grabs the woman, and flings her to the ground.

The woman appears to be knocked out and is unable to stand when the officer and another man attempt to help her up.

Most of the Facebook commentators were appalled by the officers actions.

The Cape Coral Police Department has released the following statement:

We have seen the video of the incident.  Pursuant to department policy, accreditation standards, and Florida State Statutes, a comprehensive internal affairs investigation will take place to establish the details surrounding this incident, to include a finding of fact, which will be made public upon its completion.  If it is determined through this investigation that these actions were inappropriate, we will hold ourselves accountable.

The officer was initially placed on administration duty.  Monday, CCPD confirmed that an Internal Affairs investigation has been started and the officer was placed on administrative leave.

23-year-old Brittnie Fails was arrested and charged with Disorderly Intoxication.