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New Orleans police face new brutality claims

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 6, 2006

NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans' Police Department, its image already suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is investigating new allegations of brutality: claims that three white officers beat up the wife of a black officer this week.

The investigation comes less than a week after two former officers - both white - were indicted on felony charges in the French Quarter beating of a black retired teacher, violence caught by an Associated Press news crew covering the storm's aftermath in October. Two FBI agents seen helping to restrain the man were cleared of wrongdoing Wednesday, the bureau said.

On Wednesday, Jonie Pratt had a black eye, a swollen forehead and a brace on her fractured left wrist. Pratt's mother-in-law, Dulcie Scott, said the injuries were inflicted after police pulled Pratt over, saying she ran a stop sign.

Pratt is the wife of Desmond Pratt, a 10-year veteran of the Police Department, and sister of officer Nancy Parker, a three-year member of the force.

The Police Department said in statement that it is investigating and that the officers have been reassigned in the meantime. Their names were not released.

The local NAACP is calling for a federal investigation. "We have a problem with this kind of thing that went back before Katrina," said Danatus King, president of the New Orleans NAACP.

Pratt faces charges of flight from an officer, battery, resisting arrest, running a stop sign and making an illegal turn.

Scott said Pratt was returning from visiting her father in Baton Rouge early Tuesday when police said she ran a stop sign about two blocks from her house. She drove to her house before pulling over.

"I saw an officer pull Jonie out of the car by her hair," said Scott, who was babysitting her grandchildren at the couple's house. "He was swearing at her and pounding her into the car. I said, "Stop that, that's Officer Pratt's wife.' "

Scott said the officer twisted Pratt's arms behind her and sprayed Mace in her face. She said two more white officers arrived and that the three shoved the 5-foot-2 Pratt to the ground and knelt on her back.

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 02:32:44]