- A spokesperson for the Sunrise Police Department announced the probe of Sergeant Christopher Pullease, 46, in an email on Thursday
- No further information on what criminal behavior he is suspected of has been shared
- Authorities shared body camera footage Sunday of an incident that took place November 19
- Sunrise police were detaining a suspect who was
‘verbally and physically resistive’ when Pullease came on the scene and got aggressive - Rosa said that Pullease was ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ in the situation and added that he
‘unnecessarily elevated the demeanor of the suspect’ - The union representing Sunrise police officers is upset with Rosa for seemingly condemning Pullease in an interview and want him to recuse himself
A police sergeant in Florida filmed throttling a female colleague while on duty now faces a criminal probe thanks to an internal investigation into the throat grab.
Christopher Pullease, 46, faces the allegation after he was suspended by Sunrise Police in Florida earlier this week over the disturbing bodycam footage. No further details have emerged on the crime he is suspected of committing.
‘This is a result of criminal allegations that have been uncovered due to the internal affairs investigation,’ said Officer Justin Yarborough.
Authorities shared body camera footage Sunday of an incident that took place November 19. Everyone in the video had their face blurred except for Pullease, a 21-year veteran of the force.
Sunrise police were detaining a suspect who was ‘verbally and physically resistive’ when Pullease came on the scene and got aggressive, Chief Anthony Rosa said in a statement.
Pullease then got into a verbal altercation with the suspect, who was already sitting inside a police car.
The situation began when Pullease approached a detained suspect with pepper spray. His supervisor, Police Chief Anthony Rosa, said that Pullease unnecessarily escalated the situation
Sergeant Christopher Pullease (pictured right) has been put on desk duty and removed of his supervisory responsibilities after he was filmed grabbing an officer by her throat
Rosa said that Pullease was ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ in the situation and added that he ‘unnecessarily elevated the demeanor of the suspect.’
A fellow officer – who has not been identified but has been on the force two and a half years – ran toward Pullease and pulled him by the back of his duty belt.
Video shows Pullease turn around while backpedaling as he was pulled, then momentarily putting his hand at the other officer’s throat and pushing her backward until she hits a nearby police car. Pullease then walks away.
According to Rosa, the second officer was following Sunrise police’s own policies and procedures for a situation where there’s ‘imminent fear of engagements escalating’ between officers and suspects.
Police in Sunrise say they’re ‘working in conjunction with the Broward State Attorney’s Office during this criminal investigation,’ Yarborough said.
The union that represents officers in Sunrise – The FOP Lodge 80 – is demanding Rosa recuse himself from the investigation and is furious about the interview, claiming Pullease is being stitched-up.
‘It is apparent that he has prematurely arrived at a conclusion without attaining all the facts,’ the union said in a statement.
Rosa responded in a written statement Tuesday that he would not recuse himself from the investigation.
‘I want to emphasize that it is one of my highest responsibilities to ensure safe working conditions for all employees and I will not waiver from that obligation no matter who is involved,’ Rosa said.
Pullease could not be reached for comment.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has cited a need for new police officers, even saying that he will pay unvaccinated police officers from other states $5,000 if they relocate to the Sunshine State to work, as cops across the U.S. continue to leave their posts in droves
‘We’re actually actively working to recruit out-of-state law enforcement, because we do have needs in our police and our sheriff’s departments,’ the governor told Fox News in October.
‘In the next legislative session, I’m going to hopefully sign legislation that gives a $5,000 bonus to any out-of-state law enforcement that relocates in Florida,’ he told the network’s Sunday Morning Futures program.
Pullease has been taken off his supervisory duties since the incident. Internal affairs is investigating, with Rosa calling his behavior ‘disgusting.’
He has no contact or supervision over subordinate personnel, according to Rosa.
