California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow will meet today with community activists who are demanding action from the agency in response to a cellphone video showing an officer repeatedly punching a woman alongside the Santa Monica (10) Freeway.
A handful of activists held an impromptu meeting Monday with CHP Deputy Commissioner Ramona Prieto, and they expressed satisfaction that Prieto was willing to interrupt her schedule to discuss the situation.
“Anytime you have a commissioner leave a meeting, come down to do this on the spur of the moment, understanding the importance of this, that’s what we appreciated, that she heard us,” Pastor William Smart of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference said.
Farrow plans to hold a news conference following today’s meeting at the CHP’s West Los Angeles office.
Outrage among civil rights groups has been growing since video emerged late last week of the altercation between an as-yet-unidentified CHP officer tackling and then repeatedly striking a woman — 51-year-old Marlene Pinnock.
The woman’s family has already hired attorneys and indicated it plans to pursue a lawsuit.
The arrest took place July 1 along the 10 Freeway at La Brea Avenue. Pinnock was allegedly walking barefoot along a narrow freeway shoulder and occasionally in traffic lanes. According to the CHP, the officer ordered her to stop, but she did not respond.
The officer then got out of his vehicle and stood in front of the woman, but she ignored his commands and continued walking, heading westbound against the flow of traffic and at times into traffic lanes, according to the CHP.
The woman allegedly became physically combative, prompting the officer to place her under arrest, 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. “When asked if she sustained any injuries, the pedestrian did not advise of any nor were any located by the officers at the scene.”
A passing motorist recorded the arrest and provided the video to news outlets. It shows the woman on her back attempting to ward off several blows from the CHP officer kneeling over her, before a off-duty officer in civilian clothes ran up and the violence ended.
Family members lashed out on Sunday, saying the officer was throwing “lights-out punches” at the woman while sitting on top of her.
The CHP has asked the public for patience while it investigates the altercation.
“Please know that a complete and thorough investigation is under way to obtain all of the facts and evidence surrounding the incident,” according to a message posted on the CHP’s Facebook page. “The CHP has a long history as a professional and respected law enforcement organization. We ask for your patience as we complete the detailed investigation process.”
