Police sergeant grabs female officer by throat after she pulls him away from suspect

A Florida police officer is under investigation after he was caught on video choking a female officer when she tried to pull him away from suspect who has cuffed.

Sergeant Christopher Pullease, 46, is accused of attacking the 28-year-old female officer outside a Shop & Save convenience store on November 19th, WSVN reported. The incident occurred when Pullease and several other cops were arresting a man for aggravated battery after he had assaulted people outside the store.

Body camera footage showed Pullease approaching the suspect as officers were struggling to get him into the police car. Pullease allegedly leaned into the car, pulled out his pepper spray and aimed it at the suspect as he spoke to him.

The female cop suddenly ran over and tugged on Pullease’s belt in a bid to get him away from the suspect, the bodycam video showed. Pullease turned around, grabbed hold of the officer’s neck and pushed her against another patrol car, according to the footage.

Sunrise Police Chief Anthony Rosa described Pullease’s behavior as “disgusting.” Rosa said Pullease escalated what should have been a calm situation with the suspect.

“I find it to be inappropriate and unprofessional, because what he did is he escalated the situation when calm was actually required,” the chief said. He praised the female cop, who has only been with the department for 2 1/2 years, for stepping in.

“I’m very proud of this police officer. She took some definitive action. I can only imagine what she must be feeling. She’s a newer officer, and he’s a very senior sergeant,” Rosa said. Pullease has been assigned to desk work for the duration of the investigation.