INKSTER, Mich. – A white police officer who was fired following the videotaped beating of a black motorist during a suburban Detroit traffic stop says his dismissal wasn't based on the facts.
William Melendez discussed the case with WXYZ-TV, which reports (http://bit.ly/1IQnP5o ) that the officer and his union are contesting the firing.
A representative of Teamsters Local 214 this week confirmed the firing, which came after the January arrest of 57-year-old Floyd Dent drew widespread protests. Dash cam video shows two officers throwing Dent to the ground and Melendez repeatedly punching him in the head.
Police say Dent refused to stop and had cocaine in the car.
Dent, who faces a drug charge, says police planted the cocaine. Melendez, who also works as a part-time officer in Highland Park, denies cocaine was planted.
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Information from: WXYZ-TV, http://www.wxyz.com
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