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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
Comments   
Posted 09:55 PM, 08/13/2008
wiseoldowl
Put Bascom & Schaffling in Chestnut Hill for the next 10 years. Maybe on the 12 to 8 shift. Case closed
Posted 10:19 AM, 08/14/2008
Ricky_Bard
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.
2 comments
About Chris Brennan and Catherine Lucey
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.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002. Since then she has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. For the past two years, she covered the 2007 mayoral election. Now that the battle is over, she has moved down to the City Hall bureau where she will report on the Nutter administration.

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Catherine Lucey
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Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com