Officer Accused Of Punching Woman Has Certification Suspended

SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose police officer accused of repeatedly punching a woman during a road rage incident has been placed on the state’s decertification list, according to authorities.

George Bernard Brown’s peace officer certification was temporarily suspended earlier this month, according to the list, which noted he was the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings and had resigned or retired pending an investigation of egregious or repeated illegal acts.

Being placed on the list means he may never again work in law enforcement, KTVU reported. Brown is one of three San Jose officers currently listed.

Brown was charged in October 2021 with felony assault, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor child endangerment, the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office said at the time.

The incident occurred around 8 p.m. July 24, 2021, according to authorities. Brown was off duty and driving a Ford Explorer with multiple passengers when he was involved in a near collision with a Ford Flex, authorities said, adding that both drivers aggressively accelerated and braked while pulling onto Interstate 280 and that a woman in the Flex threw a plastic bottle that hit the Explorer.

Both drivers pulled over on Interstate 680 and Brown identified himself as an officer and punched the woman in the face, knocking her to the ground and punching her again when she attempted to stand, according to authorities. Brown also joined a fight involving multiple males in connection with the crash, authorities said.

Brown had called police but both parties left the scene before law enforcement arrived, according to authorities. A passing Tesla driver recorded the incident and reported it to 911, authorities said. In addition, a witness partially captured the altercation on a cellphone and the victim told hospital staff what had happened, according to authorities.