Another police officer had been caught hurting a random person. Unlike the Missouri incident involving Michael Brown, California Highway Patrol officer was caught on videotape punching a woman at the 10 Freeway.
Police officer Daniel Andrew was recently stripped of his duties because of the violent incident. The said incident, which happened last July 1, involved Andrew and a certain homeless woman named Marlene Pinnock, 51. The latter was being punched repeatedly by the police officer.
The CHP finally named the officer but a spokesman did not say what exact charges would be filed against the officer. The Los Angeles County district attorney's office is already reviewing the case after enough information was received.
The punching incident taken by a passing motorist went viral after it was uploaded on YouTube. TV news stations in the United States took notice. Even civil rights activists got the attention of the California Highway Patrol and requested for an investigation. Other groups said that criminal charges must be filed.
The video showed a CHP office punching a woman repeatedly on the ground. According the officer, he was only trying to keep the woman from walking into the rush-hour traffic. The woman reportedly ignored the officer's commands and still went on to walk into the freeway's lanes. The officer also said the woman was "physically combative."
On the other side of the story, Marlene Pinnock said she did not provoke the officer.
"[He] just started punching me and socking me and beating me," Pinnock explained. "Blow after blow and blow after blow. He just wouldn't stop. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I did nothing to provoke him to do this to me. I gave him no reason."
The victim was hospitalized after the unfortunate incident. Pinnock got a few scratches and a lump on the right arm. Interestingly, she was placed on a mental health hold. She is now trying to recover from the injuries.
Caree Harper, attorney of Pinnock, admitted that Pinnock had previous "emotional and mental challenges". However, she did not say if the client had been prescribed medication or if she was under the influence of substances during the time of physical altercation.
Pinnock, through her lawyer, filed a lawsuit against police officer Andrew and his CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. She filed a federal civil rights lawsuit because of the officer's use of excessive force.
The CHP will continue to do further investigations. The agency is committed to work with the district attorney's office and cooperate in the criminal inquiry.
"It is our desire to be as transparent as possible while adhering to the laws and due process that govern any investigation. We value the public's trust and appreciate the community's patience as we complete this internal process," the CHP said in a formal statement.
