COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Coconut Creek Police Chief Michael Mann announced his resignation on Wednesday in the wake of the in-custody Taser death of Calvon Reid.
As first reported on Local 10 News, officers involved in the Taser death weren't certified to use Tasers at the time of the incident, and Mann and the police department kept the death a secret from the public.
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Reid's father, Calvin Reid, told Local 10 News that he was told by a police sergeant that his son mysteriously turned up behind the gated walls about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 22, bleeding from unknown injuries and asking for help.
Calvin Reid said he was told his son tried to run away from police who stunned him with Tasers at least three times before going into cardiac arrest.
In a news conference last week, Mann claimed Reid "exhibited threatening behavior and appeared to be hallucinating" during his encounter with officers at the Wynmoor community.
"Mr. Reid was repeatedly advised to stop resisting by the uniformed officers, but he refused to comply," Mann said. "Mr. Reid continued to escalate his violent behavior to the extent that Taser use became necessary for the officers' safety, as well as for Mr. Reid's own safety."
Mann maintains "there was no cover-up" in Reid's death.
Mann worked for the Coconut Creek Police Department for five and a half years and worked in law enforcement for 38 years.
"I want to thank the commissioners, city manager and the entire police department for the loyalty that they have shown me during my tenure as police chief," Mann stated in a news release Wednesday. "I am looking forward to retirement and I know that with the command staff in place that the city is in good hands."
Mann's retirement is effective March 26.
Deputy Police Chief Gregory Lees will serve as the acting police chief.
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