#1Oct 5th, 2012
After 19-years on the front lines of the Philadelphia Police Department, Lt. Jonathan Josey turned in his badge and gun Thursday afternoon, done in by a video taped punch thrown at Aida Guzman during last Sunday's Puerto Rican Day celebration.
It was a punch that ended his career – at least for now.
"Clearly what we saw was unacceptable," said City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez, the grand marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
"He's being treated like a second class citizen, no due process," said FOP President John McNesby.
The highly decorated member of the city's elite Highway Patrol said nothing as he arrived at the Internal Affairs Bureau where he was suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss.
Believing Josey's actions were improper, Commissioner Charles Ramsey took direct action to remove Josey from the force with an investigation still underway.
"It would merit maybe a suspension, possibly, 10, 20, 30 days suspension, but not a firing," McNesby added.
As Josey was being terminated, Guzman was meeting with internal affairs investigators in with her attorney. Disorderly conduct charges against her have been dismissed by District Attorney Seth Williams in the wake of the controversy over the video-taped punch out.
"It was important that we send a message that we heard the community outcry, that we saw what was in the video," the councilwoman said.
While Josey has been removed from the department, McNesby believes he will eventually return to duty after arbitration.
"He's being fired without just cause and we look forward to making sure he's restored," McNesby said.
Read more: Philadelphia Cop Fired Over Latina Punching Video | Fox News Latino
), but he looks bigger than the woman and probably well-trained in unarmed hand-to-hand and couldn't subdue her without decking her? He's a lieutenant and that's the best he could come up with? Especially with 4 other cops right there.
