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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Mayor Nutter today said the reports of police brutality in today's Daily News are under investigation, but stressed that police officers do a difficult job under tough circumstances.

"Naturally this entire incident is under investigation," Nutter said. "It's my understanding that the police were engaged in chasing someone engaged in illegal activity."

According to today's paper, narcotics officers stormed an outdoor baby shower in North Philadelphia over the weekend injuring at least six people, including two children. Two of the officers involved in the melee -- Thomas Schaffling and Sean Bascom -- were linked to a May 5 police beating of three shooting suspects captured by Fox 29 cameras.

"Obviously you don't want a child maced. On the other hand, we don't know what the circumstances were," Nutter said. Nutter said he expects officers to behave appropriately, but said that "these officers are out there on a daily basis risking their lives to make this city safe."

Bascom was suspended for five days following the May beating. Schaffling was not disciplined. Nutter said he backed Police Commissioner Ramsey's disciplinary decisions. He said he has spoken to Ramsey about this case and he awaits the results of the investigation.

"Let us have our investigation, figure out what the facts are," Nutter said. "We take these matters seriously."
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 5:44 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:55 PM, 08/13/2008
    Put Bascom & Schaffling in Chestnut Hill for the next 10 years. Maybe on the 12 to 8 shift. Case closed
    wiseoldowl
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:19 AM, 08/14/2008
    Get job Mr. Nutter. Everyone should get all of the facts before they prejudge the police. Those cops were chasing a drug suspect. A convicted sex offender tried to prevent them from doing their job and because he's 6'4" and over 300lbs, he was maced. 24th and Master is a neighborhood that "hates" the police until they need one. Big ups to Mayor Nutter for trying to take back our city from the punks, thugs, and wanna-be gangsters who are ruining it for everyone.
    Ricky_Bard


2 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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Catherine Lucey
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Chris Brennan
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Jan Ransom
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