Caught on camera critically injuring suspect, Philly cop faces dismissal

A Philadelphia police officer who last month beat a suspect, critically injuring the man, turned himself in to authorities Friday and faces termination, police said.

Officer James Yeager, 26, surrendered to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit after its investigation.

About 12:20 a.m. on July 10, officers attempted to arrest a 21-year-old man on East Elkhart Street, in the Kensington section of the city, on suspicion of narcotics, police said.

The suspect resisted arrest by swinging his arms and kicking, according to police.

After the suspect was handcuffed, Yeager grabbed him and slammed him to the ground, cell phone video shows. Placing his expandable baton around the man’s chest, Yeager picked him up, swinging him around, causing his head to hit the side of a an above ground pool, police said.

The man was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition.

Yeager, a four-year veteran of the department assigned to the 24th District, has been suspended by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.