As was expected, Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown filed a lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee and its police department on Tuesday, claiming unlawful arrest and the use of excessive force.
A stun gun was used to subdue Brown during an arrest over a parking violation back in January. Let’s say that again, an ARREST over a PARKING VIOLATION.
Police Chief Alfonso Morales apologized to Brown last month when body-camera video of the arrest was released. Brown wasn’t charged with anything and three officers were disciplined, with suspensions ranging from two to 15 days.
Eight other officers were ordered to undergo remedial training in professional communications.
Video shows the confrontation between Brown and the officers escalated the situation after they say Brown refused to take his hand out of his pocket when asked. Brown reportedly told them he could not because he was holding something. A scuffle ensues in which an officer could be heard yelling: “Taser! Taser! Taster!” within seconds.
According to the lawsuit, one of the officers later took to Twitter to mock Brown, saying, “Nice meeting Sterling Brown of the Milwaukee Bucks at work this morning! Lol#FearTheDeer
Wesley on Twitter
From lawsuit filed today: One of the officers involved in the tazing of Milwaukee Buck Sterling Brown joked about the incident on Facebook and then – after Game 1 of the NBA finals – joked about doing the same thing to JR Smith
Police only released the body camera video of the first officer who contacted Brown. But additional body camera and squad car videos, obtained by WISN-TV, showed the moments after officers used a stun gun on Brown. In one, Brown is on the ground and handcuffed when an officer puts one of his boots on Brown’s ankle, holding it there. Brown doesn’t mention being in any discomfort but he questions the officer’s actions.
“C’mon man, you’re stepping on my ankle for what?” Brown said. In response, the officer said he was trying to prevent Brown from kicking anyone.
Brown told the Journal Sentinel in an interview last month that he “gave in” when police used a stun gun and that he didn’t do anything to resist because he didn’t want officers to “pull out their guns.”
“I was just being smart. I just wanted to get out of the situation and get home,” he said.
