PHILADELPHIA (December 27, 2021) – The District Attorney’s Office (DAO) on Monday charged SEPTA Transit Police Officer Floyd Whitaker (DOB: 2/10/1962) of Laurel Springs, N.J., for his role in a Taser assault of an unarmed passenger.
At approximately 4:00 a.m. on April 12, 2021, a SEPTA driver called for assistance with a disruptive passenger who refused to exit the bus at Frankford Transportation Center. Officer Whitaker responded to the scene, and is alleged to have discharged his Taser into the passenger and then reengaged the Taser several times without providing them opportunity to comply with verbal orders to exit the bus.
Following a SEPTA Police Internal Affairs investigation, a warrant for Officer Whitaker’s arrest was approved. Officer Whitaker has been charged with Simple Assault (M1), Unlawful Use of an Incapacitation Device (M1), Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2), and Official Oppression (M2). The charges filed against Officer Whitaker are allegations only, unless or until they are proven in a court of law. The DAO’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates and prosecutes misconduct and crimes committed by public officials, will prosecute this case.
“I want to thank the SEPTA Transit Police for their work in this investigation, and for helping to ensure that accountability for serious and violent crime applies to everyone,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “Any incident in which violent force is used by law enforcement against a civilian should be carefully reviewed to ensure integrity within the criminal justice system. My office continues to work with our partners in law enforcement to seek accountability for serious and violent crime, and to build trust with members of the public we serve every day.”
Complaints about possible misconduct by public officials including law enforcement may be submitted directly to the SIU: [email protected].
CONTACT:
Jane Roh, 215-686-8711, [email protected]
###
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.