Gwinnett Cop Shown Tasing Woman In Viral Video Fired Friday

LOGANVILLE, GA — A white Gwinnett County police officer shown in a viral video tasing an unarmed Black woman was fired Friday for not using proper de-escalation techniques, department officials said.

Officer Michael Oxford was placed on administrative duty after video of the Tuesday incident — which started as a property-damage call on Summit Creek Way in Loganville and turned into a wrestling match — was posted to Tik Tok. The video has since been viewed millions of times and has drawn national attention.

“One of our core values is courtesy,” Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Colin Flynn said in a statement Friday. “We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes mutual respect with the community and our peers. The investigation in this case has shown that Officer Oxford violated our policy and did not meet our core values.”

According to the incident report, Oxford had approached Kyndesia Smith, 21, on the front porch of a Loganville home to speak with her about a neighbor’s accusation that she had thrown a bottle and threatened to assault a 9-year-old child. Smith responded by yelling at him. Oxford yelled back at her, then after several warnings told her she was under arrest. When Smith refused to be placed in handcuffs, Oxford warned her she would be tased. Smith continued to be uncooperative and kicked Smith after she was tased.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Smith was charged with felony obstruction and simple battery against a police officer. Smith posted $5,900 bond and was released Wednesday from the Gwinnett County Jail.

While Gwinnett police investigators determined that Oxford indeed had probable cause to arrest Smith and use force to do it, they also determined that the matter didn’t have to spin out of control the way it did. In fact, according to Flynn,Oxford’s conduct was already being investigated even before the video swept through social media.

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The department’s investigation “looked at whether proper de-escalation techniques were used, and whether Officer Oxford violated our policy based on the manner in which he handled the incident,” Flynn said in the statement. “Our policy states that each member of this department shall consider it his or her duty to be of service to the general public and to render that service in a kind, considerate, and patient manner.”