Officer fired for punching woman in back of patrol car

SEATTLE (AP) - A Seattle police officer has been fired for punching a handcuffed woman.

The Seattle Times reports (https://bit.ly/2fFd3Dn ) Officer Adley Shepherd was terminated Wednesday in connection with the 2014 altercation. Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole found he violated department policies regarding use of force and de-escalating confrontations.

O’Toole’s decision comes after federal and King County prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges against Shepherd.

The officer had arrested Miyekko Durden-Bosley outside a Seattle home after responding to a report that the 23-year-old woman was arguing with a man.

Shepherd handcuffed her and put her in the back of a patrol car.

Video of the incident shows Durden-Bosley kick at Shepherd, who recoils and then punches her in the face.

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild says it’ll appeal Shepherd’s firing if he requests it.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, https://www.seattletimes.com