Excessive force, false arrest among allegations in suit against city of Caro, police officer

[MrScorpio]

Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 4:55 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 4:57 PM
LaNia Coleman | The Bay City Times

CARO — A family is suing the village and one of its police officers over claims the officer used excessive force during an arrest in 2008.
William G. Freeman Jr. and his father, William G. Freeman Sr., were arrested after an alleged altercation with Officer Glen F. Harding at the Freemans’ home.

Harding went to the home to arrest the younger Freeman on a warrant charging him with domestic violence, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Bay City.

The suit, filed by Lansing attorney J. Nicholas Bostic on the Freemans’ behalf, alleges Harding refused to show the family the warrant.

The Freemans also claim Harding struck the senior William Freeman, allegedly for touching the officer’s arm, after the officer put the suspect face down on the floor in handcuffs.

Harding also is accused of using pepper spray on William Freeman Sr., and family members Kimberly S. and Dominic Freeman.

Harding then grabbed William Freeman Sr. by the neck and throat and walked him backward across livingroom, down the stairs and out front door, the suit alleges.

William Freeman Sr. was charged with resisting and obstructing but a Tuscola County jury later acquitted him, according to court documents.

The family is claiming excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, trespassing and failure to properly train and supervise officers.

City Manager Brent D. Morgan and Mayor Thomas K. Striffler said they have yet to receive official notice of the lawsuit so they could not comment.


http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2010/07/excessive_force_false_arrest_a.html

[TexasObserver]

1. It's an epidemic of police abuse, and it's getting worse.

[sui generis]

2. there is the sense of that BUT

realistically the police get it right almost all of the time. It's just that good news never makes the news. The good thing arising out having news at all is that when the bad news makes the news it can be looked at objectively.

There was a warrant for domestic violence . . . . let's start with that. Not saying what happened was right or proper or even called for or supportable, but it didn't happen in a vacuum. I'm having a difficult time feeling a lot of pity for somebody with a domestic violence bench warrant.

[atreides1]

3. Not sure how it works

But, isn't it protocal to present the warrant, if asked for?

[Dogtown]

4. Not really.

Often an arrest will be made solely with the officer's knowledge that the warrant exists, he or she need not have it in their possession at the time of arrest.

[pennylane100]

5. I thought the same thing.

I know the police often beat up on innocent people and yet the summons was for domestic violence, which does factor into it. I guess it will all come out during the court case.