11 Investigates: Mayor reacts to violent Pittsburgh police arrest Downtown

PITTSBURGH — Mayor Corey O’Connor has engaged an outside expert to conduct an independent review following the violent arrest of 31-year-old Roy Cosby Downtown earlier this week.

“Working with the chief right now, we’ve gone to an independent use-of-force expert to come in and analyze it. We’re taking it very seriously,” said Mayor O’Connor.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Independent Citizen Police Review Board investigating officer’s use of force during arrest

The review comes after allegations of excessive force raised by Cosby’s family and a bystander who recorded video of the incident.

The arrest followed an incident detailed in a criminal complaint alleging that Cosby intimidated a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus driver, struck the windshield of the bus with his hand and fought officers to avoid being taken into custody.

While the reporting officer stated force was necessary due to concerns Cosby was reaching for a weapon, family members and a witness maintain the physical force used was unjustified.

No weapon was ever found.

According to the criminal complaint, the reporting officer stated he feared Roy Cosby was reaching for a weapon.

The officer then delivered a series of closed-fist strikes to Cosby’s face and stomach area during the arrest.

Cosby’s sister, Camri Cosby, offered a contrasting account of the encounter.

She stated her brother sustained facial fractures, broken ribs and a brain bleed during the arrest.

“They beat him until he required hospitalization,” Camri Cosby said. “Punishment is necessary because the situation is completely unacceptable.”

Roy Cosby was released from the hospital and is now recovering at home.

Ella Plummer, a witness who was present at the scene, recorded video of the conclusion of the event.

Plummer stated that the force used against Cosby was uncalled for.

Plummer said, “The level of force was excessive, noting that he was not resisting and that there was no justification for punching him in the face or forcing him to the ground.”

Sources tell 11 Investigates there are multiple camera angles of the arrest from both PNC Headquarters surveillance cameras and city police body cam videos.

Mayor O’Connor said the outside expert will review the entire police encounter with Cosby and determine if the level of force was justified.

“I want an expert that knows what they are talking about to give us answers as to, again, what changes need to be made, if any, but then also what occurred and we can have an independent voice tell us about the entire incident,” O’Connor said.

The Citizen Review Board has also launched an inquiry into the arrest.

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