Alleged Police Abuse of Transgender Woman Being Investigated

The Human Rights Campaign on Wednesday called for a criminal investigation into the case of police brutality against a transgender woman in Memphis.

A newly released video shows a police officer brutalizing Duanna Johnson while she was being held in the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. Johnson is a transgender woman and had been arrested on a charge of prostitution.

“This type of profound violence is the exact thing that police officers are supposed to protect people from,” said HRC president Joe Solmonese in a press release. “HRC is calling for a full criminal investigation and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

Surveillance video of the incident shows an unidentified officer hitting Johnson several times with handcuffs wrapped around his knuckles, as another officer holds Johnson's shoulders as she tries to protect herself.

After being struck repeatedly, Johnson rose to protect herself and was maced in response.

Johnson claims the officers reportedly called her a “faggot” and “he-she,” according to an interview she gave to Memphis's WMC TV.

Video of the attack can be viewed at www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8515744. The Memphis police department has reportedly fired the officer who held Johnson down while she was being struck, and put the officer who actually threw the punches on nonenforcement status pending an administrative hearing.

READ COMMENTS (6) EMAIL PRINT RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

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Name: Lindy
Date posted: 6/19/2008 11:21:00 PM
Hometown: New Jersey

Comment:
It's a real shame when someone disregards another human being as being lesser than they are. Strip away all our appearances and we all are equal. We are all the same, regardless of our differences and nobody...NOBODY...reserves the right to say different. As to Johnny Cakes comment, this is exactly the type of a weak person getting off on someone else's pain.... Who's the freak of nature now?
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Name: Summer
Date posted: 6/19/2008 12:23:00 PM
Hometown: Tampa FL

Comment:
While this is not surprising, it is horrific none-the-less. At some point in time, people have to step in. It does not matter who the person is, what the person is, etc. We are all granted certain rights, and those rights should be honored for ALL citizens, not just the one's who feel as "you" do. I am personally outraged by this type of activity, and the ignorance associated. In the year of 2008, not ALL people are created equal... Isn't this an infringement upon the founding of this country? YES! It is! It's called Civil Rights, Human Rights, and ILLEGAL! Each officer taking place (Swaim, McRae) should be fired, and charged with Assault With A Deadly Weapon, as they would charge you if you did the same. Each of the witnesses should be charged with Negligence, as this was a law enforcement facility.
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Name: Debra J. Martin
Date posted: 6/19/2008 10:53:00 AM
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington

Comment:
I cannot help having a feminine personality and a male body. We dress in the persona of what we are within. This is not a lifestyle we chose dressing in feminine attire. I wonder what freakish trait you have Johnny Cakes. Usually the one who yells freak is a freak. No one, I repeat no one, in a U.S. jail should be beaten, unless they are resisting or putting the officers in harm`s way. It is a shame that some idiots gave the Memphis Police a black eye. Don`t forget those who just stood around and did not stop this crime. Obviously, there will be a need to train the police on transgender issues. Portland, Oregon and my hometown of Vancouver, Washington have sexual minority roundtables, which has monthly discussions between the police and the gay/lesbian, bisexual and trans commuity. I think Memphis needs such an outreach.
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Name: Leann
Date posted: 6/19/2008 9:46:00 AM
Hometown: Cleveland

Comment:
Dear Johnny Cakes, Are you some kind of nazi? Grow up.
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Name: Richard Lawson
Date posted: 6/19/2008 9:44:00 AM
Hometown: Massuchets

Comment:
It is unbelievable that the police forces can display such incredible ignorance and Transphobia This undersmines US citizens Miranda Rights. The Offices involved if the allegation is proven should be sacked and compensation offered.
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Name: Johnny Cakes
Date posted: 6/19/2008 9:03:00 AM
Hometown: Albany, NY

Comment:
Ha ha! Beat that freak of nature!

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