A Philadelphia Police officer has found himself on the other side of the badge after allegedly assaulting a woman.
Officer Damien Walto, 30, was arrested Friday after an Internal Affairs investigation into the beating of a 24-year-old woman in the early morning hours of July 18.
The woman alleges Walto assaulted her at the Tip Top Playground located along the 100 block of Hope Street in Northern Liberties following an all-day street hockey tournament, police say. He was off-duty at the time.
The 22nd District officer plays for the Shamrock team in the Burke Men's Hockey League, according to the league's site.
The woman was treated at Jefferson University Hospital for her injuries, police say.
Walto, a 3-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police force, has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Possessing an Instrument of Crime, Terroristic Threats, Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. He's been suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.
Walto's arrest is just the latest in a string of officer terminations for allegedly breaking the law.
Officer Kenneth Crocket, a 26-year vet, was arrested for allegedly stealing cash from a Frankford bar.
In another case, three cops were allegedly paid to make a phony arrest of a drug courier so he could steal the illicit drugs and sell them for full profit.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said previously he's working with D.A. Seth Williams to crack down on corruption in the department.
