A Pennsylvania police department is investigating a woman’s arrest Monday after video of the incident circulated on Facebook, according to a York City Police department news release.
The 10-second video shows a York City Police officer punch Melissa Dyann Penn multiple times while attempting to arrest her “after her involvement in a fight at Pandora’s Box 466 E. Market St.,” according the release.
Penn’s arrest affidavit states that bouncers had removed Penn from the night club but she kept trying to regain entry.
As an officer attempted to arrest her, police said, Penn kicked him in the torso, and wrapped her arms around his neck, while trying to get away, the York Daily Record reports.
The officer had tried several maneuvers before punching her four times in the face “in an attempt to daze and disorient her and regain tactical advantage over her,” the affidavit states, according to the York Daily Record.
The Facebook video does not show what happened before the officer struck Penn, and police urged viewers not to draw conclusions based on the short clip.
“The video is a very short few seconds of what occurred and we have video from multiple sources we are looking at,” the release says. “We would ask that people not draw conclusions regarding a small portion of the incident and we hope to release more video in the future.”
Police added that they hope to release more video related to the event.
The affidavit states that Penn was aggressive and confrontational toward those around her before police attempted to arrest her, the York Daily Record reports.
The arresting officer took Penn’s wrist and attempted to gain control over her to arrest her, the affidavit says. But Penn pulled away, and when the officer tried to take her down, she got back up on her feet.
When the officer got her on the ground, she rolled onto her back and kicked the officer in the torso, the affidavit states, according to the York Daily Record.
When the officer tried to roll Penn onto her stomach, she grabbed his neck. That’s when the officer launched his fist at her.
The release affirmed the department’s professionalism, stating that “Every York City Police Officer is expected to treat our citizens with respect and professionalism but if physical force is used against our officers they will respond according to our policies and the laws of this Commonwealth.”
Penn was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and defiant trespass. She was released on $5,000 bail Monday.
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com