After reviewing video, prosecutors charge police inspector instead of protester

The Philadelphia police inspector accused of hitting a protester with a metal baton was suspended by his department for 30 days with intent to dismiss after that time, police told CNN Tuesday.

Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Friday.

He was arraigned Monday but did not enter a plea. Bologna’s bail was set at $10,000.

Prosecutors say Bologna was captured on cell phone video striking a Temple University student in the back of his head while he was participating in a mass demonstration on Monday.

In a statement to CNN, attorney Fortunato N. Perri said Bologna’s use of force was ultimately lawful.

“His use of force to apprehend an individual, who was trying to thwart a lawful arrest during a melee, was lawful and justified.”

The unidentified student in the video suffered “serious bodily injury, including a large head wound that required treatment in a hospital while under arrest, including approximately 10 staples and approximately 10 sutures,” Krasner’s office said.

Philadelphia police arrested the student protester and detained him for more than 24 hours and referred him to the district attorney for prosecution. But after prosecutors reviewed the video and other evidence, Krasner declined to charge the student and charged Inspector Bologna instead.

“We are trying to be fair. Accountability has to be equal,” Krasner said “This moment demands a swift and evenhanded response to violent and criminal acts based on the facts and evidence.”

Bologna is no longer on patrol duty, according to local station WHYY.

“Right now, I’m handling operations from the office,” he told the station in a phone call Friday.

Internal investigation is underway

In his statement, Perri said Bologna worked “several consecutive 15 hour shifts” responding to protests last week.

“In the midst of this deadly pandemic, Inspector Bologna and his fellow officers were spit on, sprayed with urine and other chemicals as well as verbally and physically assaulted,” the statement said.

The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police vowed in a statement to “vigorously defend Bologna against these baseless allegations and charges.”

The police union said they were “disgusted” to learn about the charges. Bologna, a police officer for more than 30 years, was “engaged in a volatile and chaotic situation with only milliseconds to make a decision,” the union said.

“These charges clearly illustrate Krasner’s anti-police agenda in Philadelphia,” the statement said.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Friday that while she was not privy to all of the information that led to Krasner’s decision to charge Bologna, an internal affairs investigation on the matter had already been initiated and would continue regardless of the district attorney’s prosecution.

“As a department, we do not condone the criminal acts of any person, and it is my sincere hope that the district attorney does, in fact, hold all people who cause harm to others equally accountable,” Outlaw said.