Two separate police brutality cases are pending before the Boynton Beach City Commission. They are likely to settle both cases, costing the city a projected $114,000. Though the details on one case are limited, the city’s willingness to settle indicates that there is some significant truth to the plaintiffs’ allegations.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the first case involves a woman who was left without two of her teeth after her run-in with an officer. The woman was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving only about 300 yards from her home. She was found to not be intoxicated but had two driver’s licenses, illegal even though one was expired.
When the officer took the expired license, the woman allegedly began arguing with him. The officer claims he tried to arrest her but she “fell” down on the ground, suffering several injuries to her mouth and nose. Several teeth were broken as a result. It isn’t clear what the road was made of to cause such serious injuries upon falling, but the woman is asking for $42,500 in medical costs and other fees, an amount the city is expected to pay.
In the other case, an officer is accused of roughing up a man at a Carolina Ale House, where he responded to a fight. The plaintiff was not involved in the initial fight, but was said to approach the officer as he left the bar.
Though the officer has since been fired for lying in his version of events, that version says the man approached the officer outside of the building. The officer told him to back away, but the man kept coming and put his hand on the officer. This is when stories diverged.
The officer reportedly moved to arrest the man. Internal affairs found that the cop “aggressively grabbed and tackled the man” causing physical injury. He was also slammed into a glass machine without the officer ever making an attempt to handcuff him. Witnesses to the arrest said it was “excessive”.
In this case, the victim is asking for $72,000, another amount the city is expected to pay.
These are not the first cases in which Boynton Beach police have been accused of brutality or that the city has come under fire for its police force. These allegations happen in nearly every department, however, and sometimes the excessive force occurs and nothing further is said.
When you are arrested, you deserve to be treated with some dignity. If an officer’s behavior, frustration, or aggressiveness led to your criminal charges (as sometimes happens), it could be the basis of a successful criminal defense.
Contact our offices today if you are accused of assault on an officer, resisting arrest, or disorderly conduct. You have rights and we may be able to help.