A Philadelphia Police Department officer has been placed on desk duty after a video surfaced of his interaction with a man in north Philly.
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson,Patch Staff
“We understand the video circulating has caused anger and disappointment,” the Philly PD wrote on Twitter. “All PPD officers are expected to discharge their duties with honor and integrity.”(Jenna Fisher/Patch)
PHILADELPHIA —A Philadelphia Police Department officer has been placed on desk duty after a video surfaced of his interaction with a man in north Philly.
Philly PD will conduct an internal investigation. The video shows an officer, who police have not identified, talking with a man who claims he is trying to walk to his car. The officer, whose shirt identifies him as Hoover, shines his flashlight in the man’s face and follows him down the street as the man repeatedly asks him to back up. At one point, the man asks for the officer to call for a supervisor.
The exact time the video was taken is unclear; ABC6 and NBC10 both indicate it is from New Year’s Day. The video was posted to the YouTube channel “LackLuster” on October 1. An unidentified narrator in the video says the man seen talking to police was cited for disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana. Police have not confirmed what charges, if any, were filed against the man.
“We understand the video circulating has caused anger and disappointment,” the Philly PD wrote on Twitter. “All PPD officers are expected to discharge their duties with honor and integrity.”
Catherine Hicks, president of the Philadelphia NAACP, released a statement on social media Tuesday:
“Part of the problem stems from the Philadelphia Police Department’s failure to hold corrupt officers accountable for the violent acts they commit in our communities,” she wrote. “The police need to step up and speak out against those officers who commit these violent and harassing acts, just as they expect civilians to speak up to assist with information to get criminals off our streets. The dont snitch culture in the police department needs to end. Police know who the corrupt officers are. Hold them accountable.”
Original article via The Patch