The family of a 14-year-old who was hospitalized with a brain injury after he was arrested by Anderson police has filed a complaint against the Anderson Police Department, claiming officers used excessive force to arrest him last month.
The complaint, filed against officer David Starkey and two other officers, said Anderson police officers chased and threw the teen to the ground, even though he “had not committed any crime.”
The youth was involved in a fight near Anderson Middle School shortly before 3:30 p.m. on May 13, according to a statement Anderson police released on social media.
“Officer David Starkey, badge No. 228, chased Logan on a motorcycle, charged at (the teen) and tackled him to the ground. Officer Starkey then picked (him) up and threw him to the ground several more times, causing serious injuries to (him), including a brain bleed. Logan had to be hospitalized due to officer Starkey’s actions,” according to the complaint filed with the police department.
“Throughout this encounter, (the teen) was unarmed, nonviolent, non threatening. (He) did not resist arrest,” the complaint said. The Record Searchlight is not naming the teen to protect his privacy.
Police Chief Oliver Collins did not respond to a voice mail message left for him at the Anderson Police Department administration division on Monday. He also did not reply to an email sent to him.
Anderson Police Department
The incident began when Anderson Middle School officials reported to police that a large group of juveniles were fighting in the area of Church and Ferry streets. Officers contacted five students about a half-mile away, in the area of Volonte Park, police said.
As officers interviewed the teens, who were detained and seated on the ground, three other juveniles approached police. Officers were told that the other three were also involved in the fight, police said.
When officers called the three over, one of them “took an aggressive stance” while two of them ran away, police said.
Officers chased one of the students for about 300 yards, with one of the officers driving a police car and the other on a police motorcycle. Both had activated their emergency lights and sirens, police said.
An officer caught up to the minor and attempted to subdue him, but he pulled away and again tried to run off, police said. That minor was identified by police and his attorneys as the 14-year-old who was arrested.
“Once stopped, the officer attempted to use a control hold on the juvenile’s arm but the juvenile pulled away and attempted to flee again,” police said.
“The officer ultimately got the juvenile on the ground and restrained him there. The juvenile continued to violently resist and try to escape the grasp of the officer. With the assistance of a second officer, the juvenile stopped resisting and was detained without further incident,” according to the police statement.
A video purporting to show the incident circulated on social media.
“The video shows that the officer was clearly acting outside the scope of his lawful duties, conducting a false arrest, and using excessive force on a child,” the complaint said.
“This complaint describes conduct that is not only unacceptable under the law and department policy, but which also undermines public trust in the integrity and professionalism of your agency,” according to a letter written by the family’s lawyers, David Anguiano and Samantha Ting.
“While we recognize and respect the difficult work your department performs each day, accountability and transparency must remain cornerstones of that work,” Anguiano and Ting wrote.
Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Teen with brain injury files action against Anderson police