POLICE PROBE ARREST AT GREEK PICNIC

Bystanders taped the incident. Police said it began when a man tried to
jump into a patrol car.

Philadelphia police Internal Affairs investigators are reviewing videotape
of at least one arrest made during Saturday's Greek Picnic in Fairmount
Park, Police Commissioner John F. Timoney said yesterday.

On the tape, which was made by a bystander who gave copies to local
television stations yesterday, a police officer can be seen hitting a
suspect with a nightstick, and a second police officer can be seen kicking
the man twice. In another scene on the tape, a police officer appears to be
standing on a man's head as other officers attempt to cuff the suspect.

The scenes on tape allegedly occurred on Belmont Plateau during the annual
gathering of African American fraternity and sorority members.

Police reported few major problems at this year's picnic, which attracted
thousands of people. The incident in the videotape has been under
investigation since Sunday, when The Inquirer reported the police version
of the incident, according to a police spokeswoman.

Police said the arrest occurred about 8 p.m., when a group of officers
grabbed the unidentified man, hitting him with their nightsticks before
subduing him.

Police commanders said that the man had been using drugs, and that he
became violent and tried to jump into a police car.

The man was taken to Allegheny University Hospitals/City Avenue in a police
van, but was not arrested, police said.

A crowd surrounding the officers grew angry as they watched the arrest and
began throwing bottles, police said. The crowd was dispersed after about 50
more officers arrived.

Police Lt. Jesse Vassor said Saturday that police were aware that
bystanders had taped the arrest.

"They were videotaping the whole thing, but they will see that he does more
damage than the police officers," Vassor said.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski