Mar del Plata: Police Officer Assaults Woman Filing Scam Complaint

A police officer in Mar del Plata, Argentina, was suspended from duty after a video surfaced showing him verbally and physically assaulting a woman who had come to the police station to report a fraud, local media reported Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday at the 16th precinct when Teresa Lissalt del Pilar and her partner sought assistance regarding a fraudulent scheme operating through a Facebook profile. According to Lissalt del Pilar, the profile was using the address of her glass and locksmith business as a delivery point for mirrors sold online, causing confusion and problems with customers.

Initial reports indicate that a police sub-lieutenant with 17 years of service dismissed the complaint, stating, “There is no criminal offense. You have to report the Facebook profile.” The situation escalated from there, with the officer allegedly becoming increasingly dismissive and hostile.

Captured on the station’s security cameras, the video shows the officer telling Lissalt del Pilar, “Go wash your mouth out…” before attempting to physically remove her from the station. Lissalt del Pilar can be heard shouting, “He hit me, he hit me!” as the officer pushes her and strikes a wall.

“It was a horrible moment, especially coming from a police officer,” Lissalt del Pilar told the 0223 portal. “It is to them that one must turn to for protection. This boy had his weapon taken away from him recently, meaning he has already shown lapses in judgment. He is not fit to be a police officer. the uniform is too big for him.”

Following the release of the video, the officer was suspended for three months by police authorities. Other officers at the station reportedly apologized to Lissalt del Pilar for the incident, according to reports. Lissalt del Pilar has stated her intention to pursue legal action against the province, seeking counsel to file a formal complaint.

The incident comes amid a separate case in Cañuelas, where a police officer was dismissed after being filmed engaging in sexual activity near a patrol car, as reported by local news outlets.