3 Officers Accused In Teen's Beating Receive Police Awards

The three Pittsburgh police officers accused of beating CAPA student Jordan Miles were recognized for their work with the department Friday.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Awards Ceremony was held in City Council Chambers.

Officer David Sisak was honored with a bureau citation for helping trapped victims during flash flooding in June. He also got two other awards, including a certificate of commendation.

Officers Michael Saldutte and Richard Ewing were among those who got meritorious service awards involving the Uniform Firearms Act.

The three officers shook hands with and were congratulated by police department leaders and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl Friday, but the case involving Miles continues to haunt the police department as a federal grand jury probes the matter.

The officers said Miles resisted arrest. Miles claims they beat him and ripped out his hair.

Charges against Miles have been dismissed, and the FBI has taken DNA samples from him to compare them to hair found on a Homewood sidewalk where Miles said officers beat him up.

“Any time they’re facing a challenging time, we need to stand up and support our police officers and thank them for the work they do,” Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Theresa Smith said Friday.

Channel 11 spoke with Jordan Miles’ mother Terez Friday. She said she didn’t think it was appropriate for the city to give the officers the awards until after the internal and federal investigations are complete.

Channel 11 also spoke with Dr. Cyril Wecht about the case Friday. Wecht took a look at some pictures of Miles’ injures and said there’s no way Miles sustained the injuries from a fall.

“Force was applied. The injuries are multiple. There would have been several blows required to produce so many different points of contact. While the injuries were not life-threatening, they certainly were significant,” said Wecht.

Terez Miles said her son has permanent nerve damage in his face.

Previous Stories: March 18, 2010: CAPA Student's Mother Questions Police-Administered Polygraph March 17, 2010: Feds Subpoena Records In CAPA Student's Beating March 16, 2010: Police Accused In CAPA Student's Beating Pass Polygraph March 12, 2010: FOP To Wear Shirts In Support Of Officers Accused Of Beating CAPA Student March 10, 2010: Police 'Blue Flu' Rumors Circulate After CAPA Student's Charges Dropped March 8, 2010: Controversy Surrounds Photos Of Beaten CAPA Student March 4, 2010: Police Hope To Re-File Charges Against Beaten CAPA Student February 23, 2010: Beaten CAPA Student Having Flashbacks, Mother Says

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