LOS ANGELES—A California Highway Patrol officer was arrested for beating a woman on July 1 on the Santa Monica 10 (eastbound) Freeway.
According to reports, at approximately 5:40 p.m. police received a call that there was a pedestrian walking in the right lane of the freeway near La Brea.
They dispatched a representative who upon his arrival saw the woman walking in and out of traffic. He immediately ordered her to stop, but she ignored his order. The officer got out the vehicle and went in front the woman, who was later identified as 51-year-old Marlene Pinnock.
According to police report, Pinnock became combative after the CHP officer tried to apprehend her. A video recorded by David Diaz, a passerby shows the CHP officer on top of Pinnock punching her multiple times in the face and head; CHP officials said.
“A physical altercation ensued as the pedestrian continued to resist arrest at which point a plain clothes off-duty officer assisted in applying the handcuffs to the pedestrian,” according to the CHP statement. “When asked if she sustained any injuries, the pedestrian did not advise of any nor were any located by the officers at the scene.” Pinnock was taken to a County-USC Medical Center where she has been evaluated on a 72-hour mental evaluation and relocated at families’ request.
CHP Spokeswoman Sgt. Denise Joslin said, “The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is aware of the video and we are looking into the incident. As a matter of policy, every time there is a use of force by our officers, there is a review conducted to determine whether the use of force was appropriate.â€
Pinnock remains hospitalized and her attorney, Caree Harper is requesting that the name of the CHP Officer be released. She said, “This lawsuit is virtually writing itself and it started writing itself the minute that officer’s fist hit Ms. Pinnock’s face multiple times,†Harper said at a news conference Sunday where the family announced it would file a civil rights lawsuit.
The CHP officer has since been placed on administrative duties and as he awaits the outcome of the investigation.