The family of a homeless man who was allegedly assaulted and stunned with a Taser by officers in Venice Beach has filed a federal lawsuit against the LAPD.
Police officers were trying to give 52-year-old Sam Arrington, who is mentally ill, a ticket for having an umbrella that was beyond regulation height on the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Aug. 7, 2014.
The complaint alleges that when Arrington refused to sign the citation, officers repeatedly shocked the unarmed man with a Taser and beat him while taking him into custody. A video of the arrest was captured on a bystander's cellphone.
Arrington was hospitalized and later spent a month in jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.
The lawsuit says the cellphone video contradicts what was written in the police report, which stated that Arrington lunged at an officer and tried to grab his gun.
It also accused the LAPD of engaging in a pattern of using excessive force when dealing with mentally ill individuals who are homeless. Arrington's sister said her brother has been targeted by the LAPD over the past four years, and was beaten by officers during four separate arrests dating to 2011.
"In his mind he is a victim, a target," said Aurelia Cleo Battle, Arrington's sister. "[He] doesn't feel safe in our society."
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The civilian Police Commission, which oversees the LAPD, heard about the allegations Tuesday morning. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said he can't comment on Arrington's lawsuit, beyond saying the arrest is under review, but the officers involved are all still on the street.
"That is a tragic incident, not necessarily of officers acting inappropriately, but being placed in a inappropriate position," he said.
