Florida police officer suspended for pushing kneeling woman

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Kelli Kennedy and Terry Spencer, Associated Pre
Updated 7:12 pm CDT, Monday, June 1, 2020

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) — Fort Lauderdale police suspended an officer after video showed he pushed a kneeling black woman to the ground during protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, escalating a clash where bottles were thrown and tear gas was fired.

Also in Fort Lauderdale, the state attorney's office fired a prosecutor Monday for calling demonstrators “animals" at the zoo in a quickly deleted Facebook post.

In the officer's case, colleagues quickly pushed him away from the woman and down the street Sunday. Police and city officials said it happened as a peaceful demonstration attended by about 1,000 people was dispersing, and smaller groups broke some store windows and sprayed graffiti.

Police Chief Rick Maglione did not defend the actions of Officer Steven Pohorence, but said Monday that Pohorence pushed the woman after he and other officers had just rescued one colleague who had become surrounded and another from a patrol car that people began jumping on.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Curfews-issued-in-Florida-as-peaceful-protests-15307734.php

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Cop who shoved kneeling protester is relieved of duty and will face investigation
Mario Ariza
By MARIO ARIZA
SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL |
JUN 01, 2020 | 6:08 PM
| FORT LAUDERDALE

A Fort Lauderdale police officer seen on video shoving a kneeling protester during Sunday’s demonstrations against police violence has been relieved of duty pending a criminal investigation. And an administrative review will determine if he gets to keep his job, officials said Monday.

The confrontation between the kneeling demonstrator and Officer Steven Pohorence came at the tail end of what had been a peaceful protest, escalating an already tense situation.

In social video, Pohorence can be seen walking into the crowd, ordering protesters to disperse. But Pohorence walks too far and becomes encircled. As he turns to walk away, a kneeling woman wearing a white T-shirt and a face covering blocks his path.

Pohorence shoves her out of the way, pushing her to the ground. A fellow officer, Krystle Smith, immediately berates Pohorence and separates him from the protesters, who begin to throw water bottles.

- video at link -

More:
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-steven-poherence-shoves-kneeling-protestor-relieved-of-duty-20200601-v5x2m5hucnfkphfcwf7eyy7g34-story.html#nt=related-content&rt=chartbeat-flt

[Hoyt]

1. I guess one "positive" aspect of this is that we are weeding out some who never

should have been hired in first place.

[marble falls]

2. We got to keep looking for a bright side.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. +1

[mitch96]

9. problem is he will get off.. probably suspension with pay...

The old boy network is strong down here...
m

[DENVERPOPS]

12. Exactly,

wait three days, a new news cycle will come, and then the cop quietly goes back to work.

It has been working for years all over the U.S. not just in Florida.

If it reaches the courts, the D.A.'s are afraid of police retaliation, the lawyers are afraid, the jurors are afraid, witnesses are afraid....

Acquitted, re-instated with back pay. Wash, rinse, repeat.

WASF

[Gore1FL]

3. I just wanted to say thanks, Judi Lynn.

I pop by DU do a little bit of sorting, and click on recent thread headlines that look interesting. Almost invariably, a good chunk of the articles I choose to read have you as the OP.

Thanks for adding content to DU. You make my experience here all the better. I am sure am am not alone.

[Judi Lynn]

5. You are far beyond kind, Gore1FL. Thank you for a tremendous shot of encouragement!

That will go a long, long way! ❤️️

[JudyM]

11. Seconding that.

[DENVERPOPS]

4. I'm sure when the dust settles

he will get his job re-instated. It seems that that is what happens across the nation, even when the City Councils have to pay out millions in damages because of their actions.......

[SunSeeker]

6. Here's the rare and amazing part:

Pohorence shoves her out of the way, pushing her to the ground. A fellow officer, Krystle Smith, immediately berates Pohorence and separates him from the protesters, who begin to throw water bottles.

[brer cat]

10. She was awesome.

Chased him away from the protesters.

[Marthe48]

8. Different states

But it seems cops find it easier to get physical with unarmed protesters and are more patient when the protesters have guns.