Off-duty officer accused of roughing up pedestrian has a history of excessive force allegations

The off-duty officer who was video taped allegedly roughing up a pedestrian in the Back Bay on Tuesday has been accused of using excessive force before, reports The Boston Globe.

Witness Stephen Harlowe, 47, recorded the incident in which Edward P. Barrett, a patrol officer in West Roxbury and a 20-year-veteran of the department, got on top of pedestrian and put his knee in the man’s back. Harlowe posted the video on Facebook. The 54-year-old pedestrian allegedly hit Barrett’s car with an umbrella as the officer drove by him.

https://www.facebook.com/GigiandCody/videos/10209702995675532/

Barrett has twice before been investigated on allegations that he used excessive force, according to Boston police department records. In both cases, department investigators determined the complaints were not valid.

“The actions of the officer are being investigated by internal affairs,” Boston police spokesman Lieutenant Detective Michael McCarthy told the Globe.

Police have not released the pedestrian’s name and say he has not been charged with a crime.

Read the full story in the Globe.