TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police Department said it has terminated one of its officer for "repeated violations" of its policies and procedures.
Tampa Police said Dukagjin Maxhuni's conduct was deemed "inconsistent with departmental policy and training that reflected deficiencies in judgment, communication, prisoner care, and professionalism."
WATCH: Tampa police officer dismissed after internal review of body-cam footage uncovers 'repeated violations': TPD
The conclusion came after an internal investigation.
Maxhuni had been employed with the department since April 2013.
Back in September of 2023, Tampa Bay 28 reporter Chad Mills covered how the NAACP called for changes after Maxhuni was caught in an expletive-laden video, taunting bystanders.
On Tuesday, July 28, Tampa Police released footage from Maxhuni's body worn camera from an incident in February 2026.
Watch body camera video:
During the incident in the 2900 block of West Walnut Street, the suspect got out of the vehicle and was walking away when he stopped after seeing Maxhuni coming out of the passenger side of an unmarked police car. Tampa Police said the suspect put his hands up.
The department said Maxhuni activated his taser without giving the suspect enough time to comply with commands.
TPD said immediately after the arrest, Maxhuni also left the suspect on the sidewalk "unattended and made several unprofessional and disparaging comments to the suspect."
"We feel that he could have deescalated that situation as well as leaving the individual unattended on the ground and making some disparaging and belittling remarks and just overall disrespecting him," said Deputy Chief Eric DeFelice with the Tampa Police Department.
"We found this after an internal review and we hold our officers accountable. Behavior like that will not be tolerated and that is shown by the actions that we took."
Maxhuni was previously disciplined for violations related to a "Buy Bust" operation that happened on June 23, 2022, between 15th St N and 26th Ave E., according to TPD.
"He got a hefty reprimand on the discipline scale and then this time around we felt that he did not receive the message that was delivered last time," said Deputy Chief DeFelice.
Yvette Lewis, President of the Hillsborough County NAACP, felt the officer should have been terminated following the first incident.
"They should be embarrassed that they would allow someone who continuously have a pattern of negative treatment to the African American people in this city...be allowed to stay on the job that long," said Lewis.
Chief Lee Bercaw released the following statement:
"Maxhuni’s conduct represented a clear betrayal of that responsibility. His repeated blatant disregard for professionalism, dignity, and respect violated the standards we expect of every member of this Department, and those actions carried serious consequences. Our community deserves better, and they should know that his behavior does not reflect the character, values, or commitment of the just over 1,000 officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve this city with honor and integrity."
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