Bradenton police officer reassigned over shopping cart incident

BRADENTON, Florida (AP) — A police officer has been reassigned to front-desk duty after using his patrol cruiser to pull a shopping cart full of belongings of a homeless woman he had arrested on a warrant.

Patrol Officer Nicholas Evans said he didn't want someone to steal the woman's possessions.

He was cheered by people for his compassion and jeered by fellow officers and others.

The three-year veteran was criticized by Chief Michael Radzilowski for failing to use common sense and not figuring out another way to save the woman's belongings.

He was reassigned to front-desk duty on Tuesday during an investigation. The chief says Evans is not likely to be fired.

The officer's wife told a Sarasota newspaper that her husband did what he believes was right.