Video shows Providence officer punching woman in face, dragging her by hair

By Kirsten Glavin
kglavin@abc6.com
@kirstenglavin
 
PROVIDENCE, RI –   Cell phone video taken by someone standing on the porch of a Stanwood Street home, shows Providence police officer, Patrolman Place, screaming "get the expletive up," while dragging a woman down a staircase. 
 
Officer Place then punched her several times in the face, and continued dragging her by her hair. The viral video is now raising serious questions about police brutality. 
 
ABC6 went to the home Thursday night, and spoke with residents off camera. They said they didn’t know the woman; she wasn’t welcomed in their home and was breaking things. They called Providence Police to get her out. 
 
Police identified the woman in the police report as Carolinmar Torres. The report states she bit patrolman in the leg, drawing blood. Torres was arrested, along with another woman at the house, Kassandra Mercedes, for being aggressive toward the officers. 
 
Providence Public Safety commissioner, Steven Pare said in a statement that he has since instructed providence police command staff to conduct a review. 
Mayor Elorza agreed, stating in part: “after seeing the video I believe this matter warrants immediate review."