Stop and friskOn dutyExcessive forceRacial epithetsThreats/intimidationFalse arrest or reportPhysical forceExtended detentionOther charges filedHospitalized
Plaintiff:
Ronald Johnson
Incident date:
04/17/2005
Location:
7360 S. Euclid Ave.
Allegations:
Johnson was returning home from a nearby gas station when a police officer jumped out of his car and asked Johnson if he had any identification. One officer searched Johnson. When he asked why he was being searched, the officers refused to tell him. One of the officers pushed Johnson against his front door, tackled him to the ground and handcuffed him. They asked him what he did with “it,” but Johnson did not know what the officers were referring to. As Johnson lay facedown on the ground handcuffed, the officers began kicking him repeatedly in the head, face and arms. They also stepped on him, and one officer forced a twig into Johnson's mouth. Another officer placed Johnson in a choke hold, called Johnson a "nigger" and threatened to kill him. The officers entered Johnson's home and eventually drove Johnson to a police station. Johnson told the officers he was in pain and wanted to go to a hospital, but one of the officers threatened to take Johnson's identification and keep him in jail for two weeks. Johnson was taken to lockup, where other officers allowed him to go to a hospital. Johnson was in custody for two days and placed under house arrest for two months while he awaited a court hearing. As a result of his detention, Johnson lost his job. All the criminal charges against Johnson eventually were dropped.