Pittsburgh Police Investigate Officer Striking Woman in Handcuffs

Video of the incident has sparked concerns from community partners and an independent review board.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:36pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handcuffed wrist with visible bruising, conceptually illustrating the use of force by police during the arrest.The viral video of a Pittsburgh police officer striking a handcuffed woman has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has launched an investigation into a video that shows an officer striking a woman while she was in handcuffs during an arrest in the Homewood North neighborhood. The incident has been referred to Pennsylvania State Police for review, and the city's Independent Citizen Police Review Board is also conducting an investigation to determine if the use of force was appropriate or if it constituted an assault.

Why it matters

Allegations of excessive force by police officers against civilians, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized, have been a major source of public concern and unrest in many communities. This incident has the potential to further erode public trust in the police if the use of force is found to be unjustified.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, officers were patrolling the area due to previous reports of drug use when they encountered 28-year-old Angel Bradford, who allegedly tried to conceal a crack pipe, ran from officers, and resisted arrest. Police say Bradford refused to walk and scratched officers, prompting an officer to strike her in the face in an attempt to get her to stop biting. Bradford's 54-year-old husband, Calvin Everette, who was also handcuffed for intervening in Bradford's arrest, said the couple is experiencing homelessness.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Angel Bradford

A 28-year-old woman who was arrested and allegedly struck by a police officer while in handcuffs.

Calvin Everette

The 54-year-old husband of Angel Bradford, who was also handcuffed for intervening in his wife's arrest.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

The local law enforcement agency that is investigating the incident and has referred it to Pennsylvania State Police for review.

Pennsylvania State Police

The state law enforcement agency that has been brought in to review the use of force by the Pittsburgh police officer.

Independent Citizen Police Review Board

The local oversight body that is also conducting an investigation into the appropriateness of the force used by the Pittsburgh police officer.

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What they’re saying

“Things that we need to verify: No. 1 is whether or not this was an appropriate use of force or if it was an assault, officer onto a civilian. And second, and equally important, is whether it was administratively correct.”

— Beth Pittinger, Executive Director, Independent Citizen Police Review Board

What’s next

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Independent Citizen Police Review Board will continue their investigations to determine if the use of force by the Pittsburgh police officer was justified or constituted an assault.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in building trust between law enforcement and marginalized communities, especially when it comes to the use of force. The thorough investigations by state and local authorities will be crucial in determining the appropriate actions and accountability measures, if any, that should be taken.