New Kensington officer resigns amid police brutality investigation
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. —
As of Monday night, Nathaniel Cochran is not an officer for the New Kensington Police Department.
Cochran’s resignation was unanimously approved by New Kensington City Council after he was placed on administrative leave more than a month ago.
However, he is still under investigation by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. It stems from an arrest in late July that left the suspect hospitalized.
Amanda Shields represents Anthony Delarosa. The 55-year-old and another man allegedly tried to break into a New Kensington home July 27.
“I think Officer Cochran’s resignation speaks for itself,” Shields said. “My client walked away from the interaction with a broken nose, a broken orbital bone and bruised ribs, and scratches and bruises all over his face. This is not the first time that, in a criminal case, I have dealt with any sort of potential excessive force.”
According to Delarosa’s criminal complaint, when Cochran arrived, Delarosa allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to bite him.
“He asked Delarosa 20 times, put your hands behind your back, you’re under arrest,” Thomassey said. “Now keep in mind, they’re in the middle of committing a felony and that’s his job to arrest him.”
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Thomassey claims that due to Rule 508 in Pennsylvania State Criminal procedure, his client did what he had to do to make an arrest.
“There’s no question here that the arrest was valid,” the attorney said. “These guys were trying to break into a house. There’s no deadly force used in this. Mr. Delarosa keeps resisting arrest. He’s using whatever force he deems necessary, and under these circumstances, that’s what I think occurred.”
Thomassey added that Cochran’s recent resignation is not a sign of guilt.
“Would you want to do it?” Cochran’s attorney asked. “Who’s got your back when you make an arrest and something like this happens, and all of a sudden, you’re the bad guy? A lot of police officers today are tired of this.”
Delarosa is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and loitering and prowling at night. While Cochran is under investigation by the district attorney’s office, he has not been charged.
“I would hope that District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli would do the right thing and withdraw these charges considering Officer Cochran’s lack of credibility,” Shields said.
“He’s a good man,” Thomassey said about Cochran. “I hope the district attorney sees her way to say what he did under these circumstances was justified. When a police officer says to put your hands behind your back to be handcuffed, you’re not supposed to say no. You’re supposed to comply. These guys have a very difficult job to do. They need to be defended. They’re out on the streets, and we’re not.”
New Kensington city officials and those with the district attorney’s office declined to comment on the investigation.
Delarosa is due back in court on his charges in November.
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