Plaintiff:
Deborah Harris
Incident date:
08/25/2013
Location:
466 W. Chicago Ave.
Allegations:
Harris was at home when she learned that her niece was being arrested by the police down the block. When Harris left her home, she saw a police officer violently taking her niece into custody. Harris told the officers her niece had a heart problem and asked them to be careful with her. Several squad cars immediately arrived, and multiple officers approached Harris. One of them pointed at Harris and said something like, “I want her arrested.” The officers surrounded Harris, grabbing her and using a Taser on her. Harris was struck in the arm and leg and fell to the ground, hitting the back of her head on the pavement. The officers continued to use a Taser on Harris while she was on the ground before handcuffing and arresting her. Harris was then taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Multiple Taser prongs were removed from her body and she was treated for several injuries, including the head wound. Harris was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, which required further medical treatment and left permanent scars. After Harris was released from the hospital, she was transported to a police station, where she was detained for hours and falsely charged with battery and resisting arrest. A few weeks later, the charges were dismissed.