The officer captured on video during a rough arrest described as "deeply troubling" by the Miami-Dade Police Department director has been arrested.
The office of Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrest on Friday after an investigation. Officer Alejandro Giraldo has been arrested and charged with one count of official misconduct and one count of battery, Rundle's office said in a statement.
In a series of tweets after the incident was revealed, Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said he was aware of the video that began appearing on social media. The incident occurred March 5 in southwest Miami-Dade.
In the cell phone video, a woman is seen being arrested by several officers while she and another friend were asking why she was being taken into custody near 11301 SW 201st Street.
A Miami-Dade police arrest report stated that officers responded to the scene after two women, 22-year-old Adrianna Green and 26-year-old Dyma Loving, got into an argument with a male homeowner who allegedly threatened them with a gun.
A separate police report alleges Loving became irate and uncooperative while not obeying commands. One officer was seen on video bringing her to the ground before two other officers come into assist in the arrest.
"After taking the sworn statements of Ms. Dyma Loving, Ms. Adrianna Green, all the other available witnesses, and reviewing all the known video evidence, we believe that there is sufficient evidence to charge a violation of Florida’s criminal statutes," the statement from Rundle's office reads.
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Loving suffered a minor injury to her elbow but did not seek medical attention and was taken to jail.
"I was terrified – like my head almost got blown off. Like there is no calm. Like, before Ardri even recorded he walked up and tried to force me to be calm. Like, holding my arm and shaking my arm. Like, calm down, calm down," Loving told NBC 6.
"Why is this even happening? Why are you even questioning us? You’re supposed to be getting the guy who pulled the gun on us. That’s my thoughts. It doesn’t make any sense. We’re the victims," Green said.
Before he was arrested, Giraldo was initially relieved of duty.
Perez added that the actions that occurred were "in no way reflective of our core values of integrity, respect, service and fairness" and said anyone who violated policy would be held accountable.
Perez released a statement on Friday following the arrest:
“An arrest of one of our own is disappointing, and overshadows the hard work of the dedicated men and women of law enforcement, who strive daily to serve and protect our community. This particular case underscores our commitment to cooperate and work together with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in our continued effort to hold ourselves accountable.”
