COP THAT
Philadelphia cop who attacked protester is CHEERED by 100 police colleagues as he hands himself in on assault charges
A PHILADELPHIA cop was cheered by dozens of colleagues as he handed himself in to face assault charges after striking a student at a George Floyd protest.
Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna, 54, was seen in viral footage with a baton before arresting him at a demonstration on June 1.
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Gorski, a student at Temple University, had been taking part in a demonstration over the , an African-American man who died in the course of an arrest last month.
Gorski suffered "serious bodily injury" in the attack, and was detained for more than 24 hours before being released without charge.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced on Friday that Bologna would instead face charges for aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and reckless endangerment.
More than 100 officers amassed outside Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police at around 8.30am on Monday to applaud Bologna as he was taken to the 15th District.
Footage showed Bologna and his lawyer making their way through the crowd to a waiting SUV.
A smaller crowd was also reportedly waiting outside the district.
A statement from the Lodge earlier read: "The FOP is disgusted to learn of the arrest of one of its most decorated and respected police leaders.
"Inspector Bologna was engaged in a volatile and chaotic situation with only milliseconds to make a decision."
'ACCOUNTABILITY HAS TO BE EQUAL'
The protest was one of hundreds that have since footage posted online showed George Floyd pinned to the ground while police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck.
Floyd's subsequent death has sparked a resurgence of the movement and renewed focus on police brutality.
After footage of Gorski's arrest went viral on social media last week, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw announced that Bologna would be removed from street duty and an internal investigation conducted.
District Attorney Larry Krassner later released a statement explaining the decision to pursue charges.
"[Gorski] was struck in the head with a metal police baton while exercising his constitutionally protected right to protest injustice last Monday," a statement read.
"[He] suffered serious bodily injury, including a large head wound that required treatment in hospital while under arrest, including approximately ten staples and approximately ten sutures.
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"The DAO Special Investigations Unit, which investigates and prosecutes crimes committed by public officials including law enforcement, has been actively reviewing complaints and video submissions by members of the public.
"We are trying to be fair. Accountability has to be equal.
"This moment demands a swift and evenhanded response to violent and criminal acts based on the facts and evidence."
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