Most Of Philly Officers Taped Beating Suspects Now Off Street Duty

Philadelphia, PA (AHN) - Most of the 15 police officers videotaped beating three shooting suspects here on Monday had been removed from street duty by Thursday afternoon.

Seven officers were put on restricted duty Thursday followng similar actions against five officers and a police sergeant on Wednesday.

Only two of the 15 officers videotaped beating three men by a news crew aboard a helicopter are so far unaffected. A department spokesman said Internal Affairs investigators is still attempting to enhance the videotape and identify all the officers involved.

The videotape showed officers kicking, beating, and punching three black men after stopping the mens' car during investigation of a triple shooting. The suspects have each been charged with attempted murder and related counts in connection with the shooting.

They were treated at a hospital and remain jailed in lieu of bonds of $100,000 or more.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has promised to turn over results of the department's preliminary investigation to the district attorney by next week.

An attorney for the three suspects said his clients were not guilty of the shootings and that their beatings were unjustified.