In a word--troubling. That's how Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey describes what the world has now seen. Video of high ranking police Lt. Jonathan Josey winding up and punching a woman in the face following this weekend's Puerto Rican day parade.
"From what I saw it is difficult to justify the actions that took place" said Ramsey.
Fresh off west coast trip for a police conference Ramsey says he hasn't read the reports about what happened but the video does tell a story.
"If there is an arrest to be made. You use only the force necessary to effect that arrest. From what I saw that was in excess of what was needed to bring the situation under control" he said.
Meanwhile the woman who was punched Aida Guzman-- still sporting a busted lip-- appeared with her attorney demanding justice.
"I want these charges dropped against my client" said attorney Enrique Latoison of Media, PA.
"The officer viciously attacks my client comes after my client. Hits her from the side roundhouses and drops her to her knees and has the audacity to charge her with a crime" he said.
That call to drop the charges was echoed by City Councilwoman Maria Qunionez-Sanchez. Who represents the 7th District where the incident happened.
"It is a commanding officer who has been trained to maintain calm lost his cool and that is not acceptable" she said.
Ramsey says the incident is the latest in a string of embarrassments for Philly Police. He hopes it's not tarnishing the department's image he's trying to clean up.
"Certainly we have people that have not conducted themselves in a matter consistent with that but we have a lot that do and all it takes is a negative incident to kind of paint everyone with a broad brush" said Ramsey.
The decision to drop the charges against Guzman remains with the District Attorney's office. Lt. Josey has been assigned to desk duty for the remainder of the Internal Affairs investigation.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:32:02 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:37 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:37:35 GMT
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:43:10 GMT
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:31:19 GMT
AP Image
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:23:02 GMT
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:03:40 GMT
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:35:48 GMT
To the everyday on-looker, Lacey Barchart is just your average young girl.She likes playing with her stuffed animals and her friends. But, she sees the world just a bit differently than one might guess.
Brave little Lacey lives a normal life, but there is more to her than what meets the eye.
