A viral video showing a Pittsburgh police officer striking a handcuffed woman during an arrest has sparked investigations by state police and the city’s Citizen Police Review Board. Video FootageThe footage, which has been circulating on social media, depicts the officer punching Angel Bradford, who was already restrained. Pittsburgh police said they have referred the case to a Pennsylvania State Police use-of-force expert for review.Husband’s reactionYazmin Rodriguez spoke with Bradford’s husband, Calvin Everett, who shared his perspective on the events leading up to the incident and the charges both he and Bradford are facing. “It’s wrong. I’m very hurt about it, and I know she is too,” Everett said. “It’s an injustice to hit a woman,” he added. “Fired, and yes, because he still thinks he’s done nothing wrong. You’re not a model citizen. You didn’t follow protocol.” Incident details The incident occurred Wednesday night when officers responded to complaints of drug use in an abandoned structure on Forest Way.Police encountered Everett and Bradford at the scene. “My wife got out from Western Psych. We were talking, and we were in a quiet place where we were talking at that—that’s off of Frankstown,” Everett said. Disputed ClaimsPolice said the couple was in possession of drug paraphernalia, but Everett disputed the claim. “My wife is autistic. She has a habit of seeing the beauty in things, picking things off the ground and collecting them,” he said. Arrest AccountWhen officers asked Bradford to drop what she was holding, they said she did not comply and attempted to flee. Bradford was soon taken into custody, but Everett alleged officers used excessive force during the arrest. “I said just leave her be. He’s still roughing her up, like trying, you know. I said stop, sir,” Everett said. Complaint DetailsAccording to a criminal complaint, Bradford bit one of the arresting officers and scratched his leg. Everett refuted the allegations. “No way, sir. I saw it from behind, and the camera that someone took saw that. That didn’t happen, and I know that didn’t happen,” he said. “OK, if she bit you, why didn’t you go to the hospital?” Everett added. The video shows the officer striking Bradford with a closed fist during the arrest. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is reviewing the incident, and the Pennsylvania State Police use-of-force expert is also investigating. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board is examining the case. “First thing you have to discern, was it an administration issue or was there a criminal issue. And the criminal issue, of course, would be whether or not the officer assaulted this woman or was it an appropriate and justified use of force,” the review board said. “Why was she arrested? What did she do? What is the charge? What’s the criminal act that got violated in the first place?” the board added.Charges filedCourt documents show Bradford is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and tampering with evidence. She remains in the Allegheny County Jail. Her husband, Everett, has been charged with obstruction of law enforcement.He was released Thursday morning.
PITTSBURGH —
A viral video showing a Pittsburgh police officer striking a handcuffed woman during an arrest has sparked investigations by state police and the city’s Citizen Police Review Board.
Video Footage
The footage, which has been circulating on social media, depicts the officer punching Angel Bradford, who was already restrained. Pittsburgh police said they have referred the case to a Pennsylvania State Police use-of-force expert for review.
Husband’s reaction
Yazmin Rodriguez spoke with Bradford’s husband, Calvin Everett, who shared his perspective on the events leading up to the incident and the charges both he and Bradford are facing.
“It’s wrong. I’m very hurt about it, and I know she is too,” Everett said.
“It’s an injustice to hit a woman,” he added. “Fired, and yes, because he still thinks he’s done nothing wrong. You’re not a model citizen. You didn’t follow protocol.”
Incident details
The incident occurred Wednesday night when officers responded to complaints of drug use in an abandoned structure on Forest Way.
Police encountered Everett and Bradford at the scene.
“My wife got out from Western Psych. We were talking, and we were in a quiet place where we were talking at that—that’s off of Frankstown,” Everett said.
Disputed Claims
Police said the couple was in possession of drug paraphernalia, but Everett disputed the claim.
“My wife is autistic. She has a habit of seeing the beauty in things, picking things off the ground and collecting them,” he said.
Arrest Account
When officers asked Bradford to drop what she was holding, they said she did not comply and attempted to flee. Bradford was soon taken into custody, but Everett alleged officers used excessive force during the arrest.
“I said just leave her be. He’s still roughing her up, like trying, you know. I said stop, sir,” Everett said.
Complaint Details
According to a criminal complaint, Bradford bit one of the arresting officers and scratched his leg. Everett refuted the allegations.
“No way, sir. I saw it from behind, and the camera that someone took saw that. That didn’t happen, and I know that didn’t happen,” he said.
“OK, if she bit you, why didn’t you go to the hospital?” Everett added.
The video shows the officer striking Bradford with a closed fist during the arrest.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is reviewing the incident, and the Pennsylvania State Police use-of-force expert is also investigating. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board is examining the case.
“First thing you have to discern, was it an administration issue or was there a criminal issue. And the criminal issue, of course, would be whether or not the officer assaulted this woman or was it an appropriate and justified use of force,” the review board said.
“Why was she arrested? What did she do? What is the charge? What’s the criminal act that got violated in the first place?” the board added.
Charges filed
Court documents show Bradford is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and tampering with evidence. She remains in the Allegheny County Jail.
Her husband, Everett, has been charged with obstruction of law enforcement.
He was released Thursday morning.