Daytona Police Officer Fire Following Use-Of-Force Investigation

Daytona Beach police officer Joel Llinas has been fired following an investigation into usage of force, the Daytona Beach Police Department announced Tuesday. The incident in question occurred in March 2026. "After reviewing the totality of the circumstances, I determined that Llinas' judgment and emotional control did not meet the standards expected of a Daytona Beach police officer," said Chief Jakari Young. "Based on that determination, his employment with the Daytona Beach Police Department has been terminated." Officer Llinas was reportedly responding to an alleged open container violation. As the man being questioned walked away, bodycam footage appears to show Llinas taking him to the ground. He's then shown punching the man in the head. The 27-year-old who Llinas tussled with was reportedly unarmed. "The internal investigation determined that Officer Llinas violated multiple department policies related to his conduct and use of force," the DBPD said in their Tuesday statement. The DBPD says Llinas had less than three years of full-time service with the agency when the incident occurred. In that span, this was the second time he was scrutinized for his use of force, the first time having come within a "a relatively short period of time" before the second. Prior to the March incident Llinas was said to have received training in de-escalation. This instruction was designed to help officers use communication to manage contentious encounters and exercise proper decision-making as they're able. "Our officers deserve support when they act lawfully, reasonably, and in accordance with their training," Chief Young continued. "They should also expect to be held accountable when their actions fall short of the standards of this department."