Officer Will Not Face 'Administrative Action' Over Fan Smackdown

MIAMI, FL — A Miami-Dade police officer will not face "administrative action" after he was captured on video delivering a powerful blow to a nurse as she was being carried out of Hard Rock Stadium during a University of Miami game earlier this month. The 5 foot 5 inch nurse was knocked backward by Officer Douglas Ross after she could be seen attempting to slap him twice though police said she missed the first time. Video of the incident was widely viewed on social media and in news reports.

“After the incident, a supervisory inquiry was conducted and documented on a Supervisor’s Report of Response to Resistance, as required," according to a statement released by the Miami-Dade Police Department on Thursday. "As a result, it was determined that no further administrative action was necessary.”

The incident occurred during the Hurricanes' victory over Virginia Tech while 30-year-0ld Bridget Freitas was being carried out of Section 129 of Hard Rock Stadium for disorderly conduct.

Freitas of the 15600 block of NW 14th Court in Pembroke Pines, had been drinking, according to Miami-Dade police. Officials said she was arguing with other fans and "using profanity in a loud boisterous manner" before police acted to remove her. Court documents said Freitas allegedly sat on the stadium steps and refused to budge.

Detective Lee Cowart of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch that the supervisor's report cleared the officer of violating departmental procedures but does not amount to an endorsement of his handling of the situation.

"This says that he didn't violate policy," Cowart explained.

According to the Supervisor’s Report of Response to Resistance which was obtained by Patch, Ross was not on regular duty at the time of the incident though he was wearing his Miami-Dade police uniform.

Miami-Dade police said they made several attempts to calm Freitas, whom they described as smelling of a "strong alcohol beverage" with "slurred speech" and "bloodshot eyes." Police tried to get her to walk up the stairs to the concourse on her own before opting to carry her.

When they did lift her, police said she swung at Ross while trying to free herself but missed on the first try.

"As they carried her out of the seating area, Ms. Freitas continued to flail her body and attempted to strike Officer Ross by swinging her open right hand at Officer Ross' head. However, she missed," the supervisor's report stated. "Ms. Freitas subsequently swung a second time with an open backhand, striking Officer Ross in his left eye."

The supervisor's report also clarified that Ross did not strike the woman with his fist as it might have appeared to some people who watched the video.

"Officer Ross reacted by striking Ms. Freitas in the face with an open right hand," the document continued. "Ms. Freitas was finally taken to the concourse where she was handcuffed."

The supervisor's report said that Freitas complained of shortness of breath and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she was medically cleared. Ross was not injured.

Freitas is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Dec. 4. She is charged with battery of a police officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The battery charge is considered a felony in Florida.