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Puranda quits, investigation continues

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:00 AM | Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

Kareem Puranda

Staff report

The Salisbury police officer at the center of police brutality charges related to a night club brawl has resigned.

Officer Kareem Puranda, a 10-year veteran of the Salisbury Police Department, submitted his resignation March 9.

Acting Chief Rodney Harris announced the resignation Tuesday.

Puranda had been on desk duty since shortly after the Aug. 30, 2009, brawl at La Bamba, a club at 200 Klumac Road.

A fight broke out in the club and spilled into the parking area, where off-duty police officers were working security.

At some point, police ended up inside the club, trying to restore order. An estimated 25 people were involved in the fight.

A local company, Groundbreaking Video Productions, had been hired to videotape the party and recorded what appeared to be Puranda punching a man at the club.

The video was posted on various Web sites and served as the centerpiece when a Gastonia-based activist began holding rallies in Salisbury charging police brutality and calling for Puranda's firing.

Puranda was placed on administrative duty by former Police Chief Mark Wilhelm, who asked for an SBI investigation.

That investigation is continuing.

Harris, the acting police chief, said there is no timetable for completion of the investigation.

Harris said he talked with Puranda.

"The Salisbury Police Department and the city of Salisbury wish Kareem and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors," he said.

Efforts to contact Puranda were unsuccessful.

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