Amber Heard's 2009 Arresting Officer Speaks Out: 'I Am So Not Homophobic or Misogynistic!'
The police officer who arrested Amber Heard in 2009 for domestic violence is speaking out against accusations that she was "homophobic" and "misogynistic" during the arrest.
Heard's former girlfriend, Tasya van Ree, issued a statement to PEOPLE about the incident, in which Heard allegedly grabbed and struck her arm, during an altercation at Seattle airport, calling the situation "over-sensationalized." She also said the cops had "misogynistic attitudes" and appeared to be "homophobic."
In a statement posted to Facebook on Thursday, the arresting officer, Beverly Leonard – who happens to be a gay woman – responded to the accusations.
"I am so not homophobic or mysoginistic [sic]! The arrest was made because an assault occurred (I witnessed it) and the parties were in a domestic relationship," she wrote.
Leonard also thanked whoever leaked photos from her Facebook page showing her support for gay rights, saying "I wanted to personally thank you for setting the record straight...pun intended."
Heard appeared in front of a King County judge on Sept. 15, 2009, following the public altercation with van Ree, however the prosecutor declined to file charges.
"It's disheartening that Amber's integrity and story are being questioned yet again. Amber is a brilliant, honest and beautiful woman and I have the utmost respect for her," van Ree said in her statement. "We shared 5 wonderful years together and remain close to this day."
During their relationship, the actress legally changed her last name to van Ree, but switched it back to Heard following their split, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Heard was granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband, Johnny Depp, on May 27 after claiming that the actor had been both "verbally and physically abusive" to her throughout the "entirety" of their relationship.
In court documents responding to Heard's initial court filing, Depp's attorney Laura Wasser alleged that Heard "is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse."
