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Officer who punched female Miami football fan on video cleared of wrongdoing

Posted at 7:55 AM, Nov 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-30 10:48:21-05

MIAMI (AP) -- A Miami-Dade police officer who punched a drunken female football fan has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, a videotaped showed a University of Miami football fan slap an officer, who then punches her in the head.

Bridget Freitas, a 30-year-old nurse, was charged with felony battery on a police officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The incident occurred as Miami-Dade Police officer Douglas Ross and fellow officers tried to carry her out of the stands.

According to a report provided on Wednesday to The Miami Herald , Ross's supervisors found the 18-year veteran's actions were within departmental rules.

Miami-Dade police Director Juan Perez acknowledged it didn't look good, but said officers don't distinguish between males and females when throwing a punch.

Within hours, the video was shared on Twitter more than 3,000 times and posted on numerous websites.