Articles Posted in excessive use of force

On September 8, 2015, Santa Clara California sheriff’s officers arrested a man, Jose Salazar, for riding his bicycle without a functioning headlight. In effectuating the arrest, officers allegedly slammed Salazar to the ground and then kneed and kicked him. Salazar suffered a broken elbow and forearm along with other injuries to his face and back. Salazar maintains that he complied with officers in stopping and showing his hands while fully surrendering by lying spread eagle on the ground. Despite his capitulation, the officers are alleged to have used excessive physical force on him and then altered the arrest reports to cover up the incident. Salazar retained an attorney who has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation and punitive damages against the sheriff’s office for the officers’ alleged use of excessive force.

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