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WDSU. GINA: A HIGH RANKING NOPD OFFICER HAS BEEN CLEARED IN AN EXCESSIVE FORCE INVESTIGATION. IN APRIL, 8TH DISTRICT COMMANDER OCTAVIO BALDASSARO WAS CAPTURED ON VIDEO TRYING TO ARREST A WOMAN IN THE FRENCH QUARTER. WHEN SHE RESISTED, BALDASSARO CAN BE SEEN TAKING THE WOMAN DOWN AS HE TRIED TO ARREST AND DETAIN HER. THE NOPD SAYS BALDASSARO’S ACTIONS FELL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT’S USE OF FOR

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A New Orleans Police Department commander who was under investigation after being accused of using excessive force has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The investigation was into Octavio Baldassaro, who was seen on video in an altercation with a woman in the French Quarter. NOPD released the following statement on the investigation:"While working the French Quarter Festival (Sunday April 14, 2019) 8thDistrict Commander Octavio Baldassaro was attempting to break up a fight when he was struck by one of the individuals involved. At that time, Baldassaro attempted to detain that individual who resisted, and was eventually restrained by Baldassaro and placed under arrest for Disturbing the Peace (two counts), Resisting an Officer, Battery of a Police Officer and Tampering."The incident, partially captured on cellphone video was posted to social media. The video was provided to NOPD’s Force Investigation Team (FIT) and after reviewing, Superintendent Ferguson immediately opened a formal disciplinary investigation into the Commander’s handling of the situation. "Following a thorough investigation, FIT determined Baldassaro’s actions fell within the department’s Use of Force policy. Superintendent Ferguson has instructed his command staff to take a deep dive into this case to determine if our officers could have handled the situation differently and if there’s an opportunity for additional training. This is regularly done in any Use of Force investigation, even when policy violations are not found. “As I said from the start of this investigation, the NOPD took what happened that day very seriously and as always, we were committed to conducting a fair and impartial investigation—and that’s what occurred. Bottom line, this was an unfortunate incident for all involved, and it is always the goal of this department to never have to engage in this way, Chief ShaFerguson said. "As your chief of police, I am fully committed to improving the interactions between our officers and the residents and visitors we serve. We must aim for continuous improvement and strive to achieve the highest level of quality in all aspects of our work to ensure, together, we are building a better and safer New Orleans for all.”The alleged incident, which was caught on camera in April, took place at North Peters and Bienville Streets when NOPD officers were attempting to stop a physical altercation between two individuals, the department said.Superintendent Ferguson opened a formal disciplinary investigation and the department's Force Investigation Team launched a Level 1 Use of Force investigation."I want our community to know we are taking this incident very seriously and you can be confident the NOPD is committed to conducting a fair and impartial investigation,” Ferguson said. “Please understand these investigations take time, but that we will continue to be transparent throughout the process.”The woman seen in the video, identified as 21-year-old Taylor Bruce, was charged with two counts of disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, battery of a police officer and tampering.The other woman she was allegedly fighting with, 26-year-old Torian Lewis, has been charged with disturbing the peace.The Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIPM) also monitored the incident that took place. They told WDSU:"At this time, we have not made and cannot make any conclusions about the police encounter that took place between NOPD and the citizen in the video. This is an ongoing investigation that will include hours and hours of work to ensure a thorough, complete, and accurate investigation. We can ensure the community that we will monitor the progression of the NOPD investigation into this use of force until it is concluded."