UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2022
Charges against Floyd Whitaker were dismissed — twice, according to court records. A judge first dismissed them in April 2022, but prosecutors refiled the charges about a month later.
Another judge dismissed the same charges in October 2022. As of now, Whitaker is no longer facing charges.
Original story follows:
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former SEPTA Transit Police officer is charged with using excessive force after an investigation revealed he repeatedly used a Taser on a man who was already down.
The charges stem from an incident at 4:20 a.m. on April 12 at the Frankford Transportation Center. SEPTA Transit Police Officer Floyd Whitaker responded to an unarmed man who threatened SEPTA employees and refused to get off of a bus.
An internal affairs investigation showed that Whitaker, 59, used his Taser on the man, who then fell to the floor. Although the man did not put up a fight, investigators say Whitaker repeatedly tased the man while he was down.
Investigators determined Whitaker used excessive force.
The unarmed man, who did not suffer life-threatening injuries, was evaluated at a hospital. Whitaker, a 24-year veteran of the force, was placed on administrative duty after the incident.
Related
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued last week, and Whitaker formally left the force. He surrendered to SEPTA Transit Police Monday morning.
Whitaker has also been charged with simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.