MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - **UPDATED** Click here for a newer version of this article
A Miami-Dade Police officer has been relieved of duty after a video shows him apparently striking a woman at Miami International Airport.
The video, taken Wednesday according to the time stamp, shows a woman, who was not wearing a mask, and an officer arguing before the woman appears to get into the officer’s face.
The woman has been identified as 21-year-old Paris Anderson. She faces charges of battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.
According to the arrest form, police were called to the American Airlines rebooking desk Tuesday night when they found Anderson yelling and cursing at employees.
They said she arrived late and would not be able to board her flight to Chicago and told her she would have to take the next plane leaving the following day.
Police said Anderson walked behind the booking counter at one point and threatened employees. She was then told she would not be flying with the airline at all and would get her money back.
The arrest form states that the officer, identified as Anthony Rodriguez, told her the same thing and asked her to collect her luggage to be escorted away.
Police said when Anderson bumped Rodriguez with her body and head on his chin, he responded by slapping her in the face and taking her into custody.
Police said Anderson continued yelling and spitting on the way to and while in the back of the patrol car before being taken to jail.
The slap also led to immediate consequences for Officer Rodriguez, who has served the Miami-Dade Police Department for 31 years.
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez has ordered an investigation into the incident, thereby relieving Rodriguez of duty.
Ramirez released a statement saying:
“I am shocked and angered by a body cam video that I just saw involving one of our officers. I’ve immediately initiated an investigation and ordered that the involved officer be relieved of duty. Actions such as these undermine the hard work that we have invested in our community and causes my heart to break for our community and for the vast majority of our officers who dedicate their lives to serving our County. This will not stand and I assure our community that any officer acting in this vain will be held to account.”
Ramirez also asked Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to get involved in the investigation. She released the following statement Thursday morning:
“Like so many in our community, I am angered when I see abusive or improper conduct by a police officer. I have spoken to MDPD Director Ramirez about this incident and have my Public Corruption prosecutors gathering the body camera evidence and witness/victim testimony at this very moment.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also weighed in on the situation.
This is appalling. It’s excessive use of force and unnecessary. That’s NOT what our @MiamiDadePD are trained to do. @MDPD_Director Ramirez has ordered the officer relieved of duty & investigation is underway. This is why I instituted body cameras & MDPD is reviewing all footage. https://t.co/KHDsEohBym
— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) July 2, 2020
Anderson has since bonded out of jail.
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