Following a routine quality assurance review of body-worn camera footage, the TPD Professional Standards Bureau conducted an internal investigation and determined Dukagjin Maxhuni was inconsistent with departmental policy and training that reflected deficiencies in judgment, communication, prisoner care, and professionalism.
On February 25, 2026, Maxhuni conducted a traffic stop as part of a two-officer unit. The vehicle fled from the stop, but officers quickly re-located it on the 2900 block of W Walnut St. As Maxhuni was exiting from the passenger side of the unmarked police vehicle, the suspect driver had exited the vehicle and was walking away.
The suspect stopped when he saw Maxhuni exit his vehicle and put his hands up. Maxhuni instructed the suspect to turn around while simultaneously activating his Electronic Control Device (ECD). Maxhuni did not reassess or provide the suspect with adequate time to comply with the command before he deployed his agency-issued taser.
Maxhuni deployed his taser as a secondary officer attempted to take the suspect into custody. Immediately following the arrest, Maxhuni left the suspect lying on the sidewalk unattended and made several unprofessional and disparaging comments to the suspect.
“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,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “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. Our community deserves better, and they should know that his 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.”
As a result of the internal investigation, Maxhuni was found to be in violation of policies related to: Standard of Conduct, Response to Resistance, and Failure to Comply (Department Policies; Philosophy of Enforcement).
Footage from the February 25, 2026, incident can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/gyPkt4Je4wc
In a separate investigation that occurred in 2022, Maxhuni was disciplined for sustained violations of Courtesy to the Public and Standard of Conduct related to a “Buy Bust” operation that occurred on June 23, 2022, between 15th St N and 26th Ave E.
Maxhuni had been employed with the Tampa Police Department since April 2013.