Aviation Cop Who Infamously Dragged Passenger Off United Flight Had Just Returned From Suspension: Report

By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 15, 2017 9:37PM

The Chicago Department of Aviation cop who dragged a passenger off a United Airlines flight last month, sparking national outrage, had apparently just finished serving a five-day suspension before the incident, according to the Sun-Times.

The officer, James Long, dragged Dr. David Dao from his United Airlines seat at O'Hare International Airport after Dao, a ticket-holder refused to get off the overbooked flight, shortly after airline officials attempted to incentivize a passenger to give up their seat for extra must-fly crew members. In the process, caught on video by several passengers that later went viral on the Internet, Long can be seen grabbing Dao before Dao hits his head on an armrest, bloodying his face.

Long was just back from a suspension for violating department rules, the Sun-Times learned through a Freedom of Information Act request. Long reportedly violated department rules on Jan. 29 for "failing to take action as needed to complete an assignment or perform a task safely," "inattention to duty," "incompetence or inefficiency," "violating any departmental regulations, rules or procedures," and "conduct unbecoming an officer or public employee." He returned from suspension March 31, and the incident with Dao took place on April 9.

Long was among four officers put on paid leave after the dragging incident while city officials investigate it. Dao, who suffered a concussion, a broken nose and other injuries, recently settled with United Airlines.