Sgt. Christopher Pullease (right) grabbing unidentified female officer in video dated Nov. 19.
A Florida police officer was caught on video grabbing a female cop by the throat after she pulled him off of a handcuffed man. Their police chief is saying that the officer in question, Sgt. Christopher Pullease, stepped way over the line.
“I find this behavior to be disgusting,” Sunrise Police Chief Anthony Rosa told WSVN. “I think the video speaks for itself.”
This all started after a man allegedly hit people outside of a Shop & Save convenience store on Nov. 19, officers said in the report. Police arrested the suspect for aggravated battery, handcuffing him behind his back, but based on the officers’ body cam footage, they seemed to be having trouble getting him into the cruiser. Pullease arrived and walked up to the scene. He pulled out pepper spray, and aimed it at the man, who retreated further into the backseat.
Citing the ongoing investigation, police removed audio from the footage and censored faces besides Pullease’s. Rosa did tell WSVN that Pullease had said something upon his arrival that escalated the situation when calm was required.
“I find it to be inappropriate and unprofessional,” the chief said.
The female officer can be seen in the video pulling the sergeant off the man, but Pullease turned around and briefly grabbed her by the throat, and he pushed her back as his hand shifted to her right shoulder.
“The initial contact between the sergeant and the officer was his hand against her throat,” Rosa said.
The chief said he was proud of the younger officer for intervening. He highlighted the massive difference in their time on the job. Pullease is reportedly a 21-year veteran of the department, while the other officer has been there for 2-and-a-half years.
“She took some definitive action,” Rosa said. “I can only imagine what she must be feeling. She’s a newer officer, and he’s a very senior sergeant.”
Asked why Pullease was not arrested, Rosa declined to explain because of the ongoing investigation.
“So there’s some details of the investigation that I’ve not disclosed, that I’m unable to disclose right now, and if any of the information that comes up during the investigation rises to a level of criminal behavior or criminal conduct, then we’ll address it appropriately,” he said.
Pullease is now on desk duty, and he declined to comment to the outlet through his union. He was reportedly cleared of two excessive force allegations almost 20 years ago.
[Screenshot via WSVN]