Records: Cop has history of brutality

Officer who pushed protester Sunday involved in at least 14 violent past arrests

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Fort Lauderdale police officer relieved of duty for shoving a kneeling protester during Sunday’s demonstrations has a history of violent arrests, often carried out at gunpoint, police records show.

In every single use of force, Internal Affairs investigators from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department found Steven Pohorence’s actions consistent with department policy.

During his four years with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Officer Pohorence has been involved in at least 14 violent arrests, brawls that ended with him or other officers punching or using stun guns on people who resisted, records from the department’s Internal Affairs office show.

Pohorence has also drawn his pistol at least 45 times while on duty, most often during traffic stops. On at least two occasions, he drew his service weapon on mothers with children in their vehicles who were later released without charges.

At least one person who Pohorence arrested accused him of racially profiling them. Another accused the officer of false arrest and unnecessary use of force, but declined to produce pictures of their injuries. Internal Affairs found no wrongdoing in either case.

Pohorence, who has roots in Connecticut and Massachusetts, also has received at least three commendations while employed with the department.

On April 5, 2019, a naked woman was threatening to throw herself off the north side of the I-95 overpass on Broward Boulevard. Po

horence, who was among the team of officers who responded, went and got her a Slurpee at 7-11 in an effort to calm her down. The woman was ultimately taken to a medical facility.

In another instance, Pohorence and three other officers were commended for using CPR and a tourniquet to save the lives of two people involved in a crash on the Oakland Park exit of I-95.

All three performance reviews contained within the officer’s personnel file were positive. His performance review from September 2018 stated that “he is routinely heard over the police radio channel conducting proactive traffic stops along with stops of suspicious subjects.”

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department declined to comment for this story.

Pohorence could not be reached for comment.

BRIAN C. JOHNSON FACEBOOK PHOTOS Fort Lauderdale police Officer Steven Pohorence is seen on a video Sunday pushing a kneeling protester.

During his four years with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Officer Steven Pohorence has been involved in at least 14 violent arrests, brawls that ended with him or other officers punching or using stun guns on people who resisted, records from the department’s Internal Affairs office show.