HRC Calls for Investigation into Case of Police Beating Transgender Woman

By C. Boning - Posted on June 18th, 2008

The Human Rights Campaign is calling for a full criminal investigation into a case of police brutality against a transgender woman, according to a news release from today.

A recently released surveillance tape out of Memphis, Tenn. shows police beating and verbally harassing Duanna Johnson while she was being restrained in the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.

The FBI and the District’s Attorney office has reviewed the tape, and the FBI is currently investigating the possible civil rights violation, according to the release.

Charges have been dropped against Johnson, who had been arrested for prostitution. The Memphis Police Department has also disciplined the two officers who were involved in the incident.

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