Cincinnati officer suspended for Taser use

CINCINNATI, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A Cincinnati police officer is being investigated for using a Taser on the passenger in a car stopped after a collision, police said Monday.

Officer Anthony Plummer was charged with using the Taser on Celeste Thomas, 26, while she was on her knees with her hands in the air. Policy dictates a Taser should only be used if a suspect is resisting arrest or has assaulted the officer, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday.

"A preliminary review shows he is not in compliance with our standards and he is being investigated for unnecessary and excessive use of force," Police Chief Thomas Streicher said.

Plummer's police powers were revoked during the internal investigation, the Enquirer said.

He has had use-of-force complaints against him several times, resulting in a suspension and two reprimands. He was once fired from the force, but was reinstated after an appeal.

Thomas is a daughter of City Councilman Cecil Thomas, a former police officer who heads the council's law and safety committee.