Ex-cop charged with assaulting woman

A former Philadelphia police officer was arrested Wednesday on charges of assaulting, threatening and stalking a female friend earlier this year.

Anthony Floyd, 46, a member of the Narcotics Intensive drug investigations unit and a 26-year veteran of the department, retired Tuesday after learning of the charges he was facing: simple assault, making terroristic threats, stalking, reckless endangerment and harassment.

Floyd is the third Philadelphia police officer in less than a week to land in the news thanks to a career-ending scandal. On May 3, former Officer Rudolph Gary was charged with murder for allegedly shooting his unarmed brother-in-law in a dispute over a water gun fight. Gary also wounded two bystanders, police said.

And on Tuesday, former Sgt. Robert Ralston was fired from the department after admitting he shot himself and fabricated a story about being shot by a black man. Police sources have speculated Ralston concocted the tale because he wanted to be transferred to another district, or because he wanted attention.

Police opened an investigation into Floyd on Feb. 3, said Philadelphia Lt. Frank Vanore, after a female friend of Floyd's reported a domestic assault.

Floyd's union contract required that police inform Floyd of the charges, and give him three days to surrender, Vanore said. Floyd retired after learning of the charges, then turned himself in to the Internal Affairs division the next day.

It's unclear whether Floyd will receive his pension. He is not charged with committing any crimes while on duty, or with using his position to commit crimes. Vanore said it will be up to the pension board to decide.

At least seven city police officers have been charged with criminal offenses since December.