Police officer who punched woman is fired

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PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia police officer who was caught on cellphone video striking a reveler at a festival will lose his job, the city's police commissioner said.

Lt. Jonathan D. Josey II, a decorated 19-year veteran of the police force, will be dismissed for punching a woman at a celebration Sunday after the city's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Thursday.

The incident, in which a group of police officers engaged a crowd after a bottle of liquid was allegedly thrown at them -- followed by Josey's punch to the face of Aida Guzman, 39 -- was recorded by cellphone and posted on the Internet.

"I watched the video over and over again, and I also listened to the interviews the complainant gave to the media. It was my sense that this was a very serious violation of department policy, and that the force used was not the force necessary to affect an arrest," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

Technically, Josey will be suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss, effective Thursday.

"He (Josey) has served for a long time and he's done a lot of outstanding things, but this is a serious violation of trust and abuse of authority, and it cannot be ignored," Ramsey said.

The District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday it will withdraw the disorderly conduct charge against Guzman, filed when Josey arrested her. Enrique Latoison, Guzman's lawyer, said she was not sure whether she will sue the city over the incident -- which he said left her with lip contusions, cuts to her arm and hand, and head and neck pain.