 Screen shot taken from cellphone video shows CHP officer pummeling woman by side of road. Representatives of African-American community groups demonstrated at the California Highway Patrol’s Central Los Angeles station Monday, demanding answers and accountability after an officer was caught on video repeatedly punching a woman. The demonstration spurred an impromptu appearance by the agency’s second-in-command, Deputy Commissioner Ramona Prieto, who assured the delegation that CHP had assembled its “top investigators” to probe the encounter. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has agreed to assist the CHP with the investigation at the agency’s request, Jane Robison of the DA’s Office said Monday. Prieto declined to release the officer’s name or discuss anything specific about the case, citing the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights — a state law that protects law enforcement officers. “I don’t have anything to tell you right now,” Prieto said. “Our investigation is nowhere close to being complete.” The CHP is determining whether policies and procedures governing the encounter can be released. A video taken by a motorist emerged last week showing the white CHP officer on top of 51-year-old Marlene Pinnock, raining down punches to her upper torso and face area. According to the CHP, the woman had been walking barefoot along the side of the westbound 10 Freeway — and at times within traffic lanes — in Los Angeles at La Brea Avenue about 5:40 p.m. on July 1. When the officer advised her to stop walking, she was nonresponsive and then was placed under arrest after she became “physically combative” and a physical altercation ensued. An off-duty officer helped in handcuffing Pinnock, according to the CHP. Click here to continue reading… SOURCE: Brenda Gazzar and Thomas Himes |
Prince Malachi is the founder of The Oracle Network and the Streetwear brand Y.A.H. Apparel
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