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发帖数: 10554 | 1 http://dailybruin.com/2014/02/03/judge-files-10m-claim-against-
Judge files $10M claim against UCPD
February 3, 2014 2:42 pm More stories in Crime, News, Westwood
This post was updated at 4:17 p.m.
A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge recently filed a $10 million claim for
damages against university police, claiming two UCPD officers used excessive
force after stopping him in Westwood for a seatbelt violation.
The claim, filed Jan. 16 by Judge David S. Cunningham III, alleges that race
was a factor in the way the officers interacted with Cunningham, who is
black.
Cunningham was pulled over on Gayley Avenue in November by two UCPD officers
, after leaving the parking lot of LA Fitness, said Cunningham’s lawyer
Carl Douglas.
According to January’s claim, officers Kevin Dodd and James Kim grabbed,
handcuffed and shoved Cunningham into the back of their police car.
“Judge Cunningham did nothing to justify this detention and use of
unreasonable force against him,” the claim said. “He … had not posted any
reasonable threat to the physical safety of either of the involved officers
or any other person.”
Cunningham filed a separate excessive force complaint against university
police in November on the day he was pulled over.
The university sent a letter to Cunningham on Monday notifying him that UCPD
fully investigated his complaint but did not find sufficient evidence to
sustain his allegations, according to a UCLA statement released Monday.
“We are distressed when anyone feels disrespected by our officers or anyone
who represents UCLA,” university officials said in a statement Monday. “
As in this case, feedback to UCLA Police provides them the opportunity to
review their actions, tailor future trainings and improve performance to
reflect the department’s commitment to excellence.”
In a statement Monday, Douglas said he reviewed video from UCPD cameras that
captured the traffic stop.
UCPD Sgt. Harry Standberry, a watch commander called to the scene, released
Cunningham about 10 minutes after he was pulled over. Douglas said
Standberry’s response indicates that race was a factor in Cunningham’s
treatment.
“(Sgt. Standberry’s) immediate response leads to the unavoidable
conclusion that Judge Cunningham’s arrest was outrageous,” Douglas said in
the press release.
The press release said the claim was made public Monday because of the start
of Black History Month.
“The scene shows this proud 58-year-old man, laying backward with his hands
cuffed behind him, and literally struggling,” Douglas said.
Douglas said Cunningham is now seeing a hand specialist because of how
tightly he was handcuffed.
Photographs sent to The Bruin in November appeared to show visible cuts and
bruises on Cunningham’s hands and arm.
The claim said Cunningham has retained doctors, psychologists and
psychiatrists after the incident. In the press release, Cunningham said he
was shaken and bruised as a result of the traffic stop.
Compiled by Sam Hoff, Bruin reporter. |
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