Chief Charlie Beck Responds to Harris Civil Verdict NR12511SF

Los Angeles:  On November 8, 2012, a Los Angeles jury awarded a judgment in the amount of $1,596,000.00 along with $90,000.00 in punitive damages to Mr. Allen Harris.
 
This lawsuit stemmed from a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrant for an armed robbery that occurred on September 12, 2009.  The warrant was served at a residence in Inglewood on November 10, 2009.  Mr. Allen Harris was briefly detained during the warrant service.  Two suspects were arrested and Mr. Harris was released.  Mr. Harris later alleged that officers re-injured his collarbone when they handcuffed him.
 
Some important facts were brought to light during the trial, including:

Mr. Harris advised the officers that he had a preexisting injury to his shoulder that occurred a week earlier after being assaulted.  As a result the officers used two pair of handcuffs when detaining Mr. Harris in an effort to lessen any pressure or strain to his shoulder.
Mr. Harris made no attempts to notify anyone that he was injured or upset.  He refused medical treatment and an offer of an ambulance.
Mr. Harris did not seek any medical follow-up for his alleged injury until four days later.
Two handguns, a ski mask and an iPhone (phone believed to belong to one of the robbery victims) were recovered at the Search Warrant location.  The court did not allow this to be presented to the jury because the items were found after the handcuffing.

The City Attorney’s Office plans to appeal this verdict.
 
“I am disappointed by the verdict and the monetary award in this case,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.  “The City Attorney plans to appeal this case and I strongly support that appeal.”