Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said on Friday that Personnel Inspector Joseph Bologna is accused of aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of a criminal vehicle, and blatantly endangering another person.
Prosecutors said that while attending a mass demonstration on Monday, Bologna was caught in a cell phone video that a Temple University student hit behind his head.
The unidentified student suffered serious bodily injury, including about 10 staples and about 10 sutures, including a large head injury that required hospital treatment while in detention.
Philadelphia police arrested the student protester and detained it for more than 24 hours and sent it to the district prosecutor for trial. However, after investigating the video and other evidence, Krasner refused to blame the student, and instead Inspector accused Bologna.
“We are trying to be fair. Accountability must be equal,” said Krasner. “This moment requires prompt and equitable response to violence and criminal acts based on facts and evidence.”
“I currently manage operations from the office,” he said on a phone call on Friday.
The police unit said they were “disgusted” to learn about the charges. The union said that Bologna, a police officer for more than 30 years, “is only involved in a temporary and chaotic situation with milliseconds to make a decision.”
“These charges clearly show Krasner’s anti-police agenda in Philadelphia,” he said.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Friday that while all information that led to Krasner’s decision to blame Bologna remains confidential, an internal investigation has been launched on the matter and will continue regardless of the district prosecutor’s office.
“As a department, we do not ignore anyone’s criminal proceedings, and it is a sincere hope that the district lawyer holds all people equally responsible for actually hurting others,” Outlaw said. Said.
