‘Don’t ever f—ing touch me’: Cop who grabbed female officer by throat for pulling him off handcuffed suspect still won’t face a jury

The case of former Sunrise Police Sgt. Christopher Pullease has remained one of the most controversial law enforcement misconduct incidents in recent years. Body-camera footage captured the veteran Florida police supervisor threatening a handcuffed suspect before turning his anger toward a fellow officer who attempted to intervene. The video quickly spread nationwide, prompting criminal charges, internal investigations, and widespread criticism of police conduct.

Despite the disturbing footage and felony charges that followed, developments in the legal process ultimately meant the case would not be decided by a jury, drawing renewed scrutiny from critics who argued that the evidence warranted a public trial.

Body Camera Footage Captured Heated Confrontation

The incident occurred on Nov. 19, 2021, in Sunrise, Florida, when officers responded to reports of a disturbance involving a man accused of attacking people outside a business. By the time Pullease arrived, the suspect had already been restrained, handcuffed, and placed inside the back seat of a patrol vehicle.

Body-camera footage showed Pullease approaching the patrol car and immediately engaging in a heated confrontation with the handcuffed suspect. According to the video and subsequent reports, the sergeant leaned into the vehicle while holding pepper spray and shouted threats at the suspect.

At one point, Pullease could be heard yelling that if the suspect ever disrespected his officers again, he would “remove your f—ing soul from your f—ing body.” The suspect, already restrained inside the police vehicle, remained the target of the sergeant’s verbal outburst.

Female Officer Steps In to De-Escalate Situation

As the confrontation intensified, a younger female officer moved toward Pullease in an apparent effort to de-escalate the situation.

Investigators later stated that the officer grabbed the sergeant by the belt and attempted to pull him away from the patrol car. Police Chief Anthony Rosa later praised her actions, describing them as an effort to calm an emotionally charged situation and prevent the encounter from escalating further.

The intervention lasted only moments before Pullease reacted.

Pullease Grabbed Fellow Officer by the Throat

Video footage showed Pullease spinning around immediately after being pulled away from the suspect.

He then placed his hand around the female officer’s throat and pushed her backward. After initially gripping her neck, he continued holding onto her tactical vest while shouting at her. The officer could be heard saying, “No. Sir, sir.”

Pullease responded with an angry warning.

“Don’t ever f—ing touch me again,” he yelled. “Get the f— off me.”

The footage showed several officers nearby witnessing the confrontation. After releasing the female officer, Pullease turned his attention back toward the suspect.

Police Chief Calls Behavior ‘Disgusting’

The release of the body-camera footage sparked immediate outrage.

Sunrise Police Chief Anthony Rosa publicly condemned the sergeant’s conduct and praised the younger officer who intervened. Rosa stated that he was proud of the officer’s leadership and willingness to act under pressure.

The chief did not mince words when discussing Pullease’s actions.

“I find this behavior to be disgusting. I think the video speaks for itself,” Rosa said following the release of the footage.

Veteran Officer Removed From Duty

Pullease had been a member of the Sunrise Police Department for approximately 21 years at the time of the incident.

Initially, he was placed on desk duty shortly after the confrontation. As investigations continued, authorities later moved him to administrative leave while criminal investigators reviewed the case.

The incident generated significant public attention because it involved a supervisor allegedly assaulting a subordinate officer who was attempting to prevent further escalation with a handcuffed suspect.

Criminal Charges Followed Investigation

After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors pursued criminal charges against Pullease.

Authorities charged him with felony battery on a law enforcement officer for grabbing the female officer by the throat. Additional charges included assault on a law enforcement officer and assault involving the civilian suspect. Reports also indicated that he faced an evidence-tampering allegation connected to his cellphone during a separate stage of the investigation.

The felony battery charge alone carried the possibility of a substantial prison sentence if a conviction were secured.

Questions Raised About Police Accountability

The case quickly became a flashpoint in broader discussions about police accountability and use of force.

Critics pointed to the body-camera footage as clear evidence of misconduct, noting that the suspect was already handcuffed and secured inside a patrol vehicle when Pullease began threatening him. Others focused on the treatment of the female officer, arguing that her actions appeared aimed at preventing further escalation.

The footage also fueled conversations about how officers respond when colleagues intervene to stop potentially inappropriate conduct.

Why the Case Drew National Attention

Several factors contributed to the widespread attention surrounding the incident.

First, the confrontation was captured from multiple body-camera angles, allowing the public to view the encounter directly. Second, the alleged victim was another police officer rather than a civilian. Third, the female officer had stepped in to calm the situation rather than provoke it.

The visual nature of the evidence made the case especially notable, with many observers arguing that the footage provided a rare look at tensions that can arise within law enforcement ranks themselves.

Case Ends Without Jury Trial

Although the footage generated national headlines and prosecutors pursued charges, the case ultimately did not proceed to a jury trial.

As a result, jurors never had the opportunity to weigh the evidence presented in the body-camera recordings or determine whether Pullease’s actions met the legal standard for criminal conviction.

The outcome left some observers frustrated, particularly those who believed the seriousness of the allegations and the visibility of the evidence warranted a full public trial.

Lasting Impact of the Incident

Years after the confrontation, the Pullease case continues to be cited in discussions about police supervision, accountability, intervention by fellow officers, and the importance of de-escalation.

The actions of the female officer have been highlighted by police leaders and reform advocates alike as an example of intervention intended to reduce tension during a volatile encounter. Meanwhile, the body-camera footage remains one of the most widely discussed examples of alleged misconduct involving a police supervisor and a subordinate officer.

The case stands as a reminder of the scrutiny law enforcement agencies face when allegations of excessive force and officer-on-officer misconduct emerge, particularly when the events are captured on camera for the public to see.