An Emporia woman is suing a Norfolk police officer, two former police chiefs and the city manager for a traffic stop she says turned violent in 2021.
Ebony Holmes was pulled over that July by Norfolk officer Vincent Tocco for speeding.
In a lawsuit filed in Norfolk Circuit Court last week, she alleged that Tocco punched her, pulled her out of the car by her feet and put his knee on the back of her neck to hold her down.
Tocco eventually booked Holmes for reckless driving, claiming she was going over 90 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Tocco’s body camera, as well as a passenger’s phone, captured footage of the incident.
In late 2021, then-Police Chief Larry Boone wrote to Holmes and told her an internal review had found Tocco violated unspecified department policy.
Holmes names Boone, former interim chief Michael Goldsmith and current City Manager Chip Filer in her complaint, saying they failed to protect her from Tocco.
The lawsuit cites a Freedom of Information Act response that showed five previous excessive force complaints against Tocco.
The Norfolk Police Department declined to comment this week, citing pending civil litigation.
Holmes is seeking $500,000 in compensation. A court hearing is scheduled for next spring.
