Patrol head says he’s shocked by beating video

Attorney Caree Harper, far left, Robert Nobles who is husband to Maisha Allums, daughter of Marlene Pinnock who was seen on the videotape being repeatedly punched, take questions from the media outside the CHP offices in Culver City, Calif., Tuesday, July 8, 2014. An earlier video provided by motorist David Diaz, shows California Highway Patrol officer straddling a woman while punching her in the head on the shoulder of a Los Angeles freeway. The woman, identified as Marlene Pinnock, had been walking on Interstate 10 west of downtown Los Angeles, endangering herself and people in traffic, and the officer was trying to restrain her, according to a CHP assistant chief. The officer, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave during an investigation. (AP Photo/Tami Abdollah) Attorney Caree Harper, far left, Robert Nobles who is husband to Maisha Allums, daughter of Marlene Pinnock who was seen on the videotape being repeatedly punched, take questions from the media outside the CHP offices in Culver City, Calif., Tuesday, July 8, 2014. An earlier video provided by motorist David Diaz, shows California Highway Patrol officer straddling a woman while punching her in the head on the shoulder of a Los Angeles freeway. The woman, identified as Marlene Pinnock, had been walking on Interstate 10 west of downtown Los Angeles, endangering herself and people in traffic, and the officer was trying to restrain her, according to a CHP assistant chief. The officer, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave during an investigation. (AP Photo/Tami Abdollah)

By Associated Press July 8, 2014 3 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The head of the California Highway Patrol said he was shocked and the agency’s reputation is hurt by a video showing an officer repeatedly punching a woman he pinned on the side of a Los Angeles freeway.

CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow vowed to complete a comprehensive investigation in weeks instead of the usual months.

The CHP said the woman was walking on Interstate 10 west of downtown Los Angeles, endangering herself and people in traffic, and the officer was trying to restrain her. The woman had begun walking off the freeway but returned when the confrontation occurred.

The now-viral video shot by a passing freeway driver shows Marlene Pinnock, 51, being repeatedly punched as she’s straddled by the officer on the shoulder of the freeway.

“This is one of the most significant events of my 34-year career that I’ve ever dealt with,” Farrow said. “We’ve never seen this before.”