Retired California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Cookston has been charged with hitting a 21-year-old woman in the face during a stop last March, officials stated.
“The alleged behavior exhibited by this officer was reprehensible. No woman should be detained in the middle of the night and punched in the face because an officer lost his temper,” District Attorney George
Gascón said. “Excessive force by law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County.”
Cookston, 54, was charged with one felony count of assault under the color of authority.
The case was filed for warrant on February 21.
On March 2, 2022, Cookston pulled over a woman on Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita. After the woman exited her vehicle, an altercation occurred, and Cookston allegedly punched her in the face.
The case remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.