TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Police Department has terminated officer Dukagjin Maxhuni following an internal investigation that found repeated violations of departmental policies, officials announced Tuesday.
The investigation by the TPD Professional Standards Bureau stemmed from a routine body-worn camera review. Investigators determined Maxhuni’s actions showed clear deficiencies in judgment, communication, prisoner care, and professionalism.
The incident occurred during a traffic stop on Feb. 25, 2026. According to the department, a vehicle fled from a two-officer unit before police relocated it in the 2900 block of West Walnut Street. As Maxhuni exited the passenger side of an unmarked police car, the suspect driver got out and began walking away.
When the suspect saw Maxhuni exit the vehicle, he stopped and raised his hands. Maxhuni told the suspect to turn around while simultaneously activating his Electronic Control Device (ECD), commonly known as a taser. Department officials found that Maxhuni deployed the taser without reassessing the situation or giving the suspect adequate time to comply with the verbal command.
Investigators also noted that Maxhuni deployed the taser while a second officer was attempting to take the man into custody. Following the arrest, Maxhuni left the suspect unattended on the sidewalk and made several unprofessional, disparaging comments toward him.
An internal review concluded that Maxhuni violated department policies covering Standard of Conduct, Response to Resistance, and Failure to Comply regarding department rules and enforcement philosophy.
Maxhuni previously faced disciplinary action in connection with a June 2022 “Buy Bust” operation near 15th Street North and 26th Avenue East, where internal investigators sustained violations for Standard of Conduct and Courtesy to the Public.
Police Chief Lee Bercaw addressed the firing in a statement released Tuesday.
“From the day an officer is hired with the Tampa Police Department, we make it clear, that treating everyone with dignity and respect is a fundamental obligation as a public servant in the City of Tampa,” Bercaw said. “Maxhuni’s conduct represented a clear betrayal of that responsibility. His repeated blatant disregard for professionalism, dignity, and respect violated the standards we expect of every member of this Department, and those actions carried serious consequences.”
Bercaw added that the department’s community deserves better and emphasized that Maxhuni’s behavior “does not reflect the character, values, or commitment of the just over 1,000 officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve this city with honor and integrity.”
Maxhuni had been with the Tampa Police Department since April 2013.
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