PHILADELPHIA OFFICER CHARGED

Philly SWAT officer seen pepper spraying kneeling protesters on 676 turns himself in

The Philadelphia SWAT officer captured on video last month pulling down protesters’ masks and pepper spraying them,

As they knelt on the Vine Street Expressway turned himself in Wednesday to face criminal charges,

According to the District Attorney’s Office and his lawyer.

Richard P. Nicoletti is expected to face charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment, official oppression,

And possession of an instrument of crime, said Jane Roh, spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Nicoletti’s attorney, Fortunato Perri, Jr., said Nicoletti surrendered Wednesday morning.

In a statement, Krasner said Nicoletti “broke the laws he was sworn to uphold”

He “interfered with Philadelphians’ and Americans’ peaceful exercise of their sacred constitutional rights of free speech and assembly.

“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office will not make excuses for crimes committed by law enforcement,

That demean the democratic freedoms so many Americans have fought and died to preserve,” Krasner said.

Perri said in an email that Nicoletti, a 12-year veteran of the force and former Army Ranger who was deployed overseas three times,

“is being charged with crimes for simply following orders.”

“His unit was ordered by commanders to clear the highway with the approved use of tear gas and ……….

DAWG SAYS:

I AM THE FIRST TO CALL OUT BAD CONDUCT.

WATCHING THE VIDEO THEN READING THE STATEMENTS BY THE D.A. THESE ARE OUTRAGEOUS CHARGES.

I SAW NO BAD CONDUCT AS OFFICER ARE FOLLOWING ORDERS AND THE SAFETY OF THE PROTESTERS ARE A FUNCTION OF THE POLICE TOO.

PROTESTING BY WALKING AND OR SITTING ON THE FREEWAY IS A DUMB THING TO DO.

AND SOMETIMES THE OFFICERS HAVE TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THEMSELVES.