PHILADELPHIA _ Philadelphia Police Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna Jr. surrendered himself Monday to face aggravated assault and other charges stemming from a series of viral videos that emerged last week depicting him beating a Temple University student and other protesters during demonstrations.
Dozens of officers _ both in and out of uniform _ gathered outside of Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police on Monday in a show of support.
They applauded him as he left the lodge escorted by his lawyer Fortunato Perri Jr. and police union head John McNesby just after 8:30 a.m. to an SUV waiting to drive him to the police district. By 9, he had arrived to be booked, processed and arraigned.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw pulled Bologna from street duty and promised a methodical and thorough internal affairs investigation on Friday. But District Attorney Larry Krasner announced within hours his office would be charging Bologna with a crime.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from police union head John McNesby, who has defended Bologna as one of the most dedicated officers on the force.
