A Salem man falsely arrested and subjected to excessive force by a Salem police officer has been awarded $3.15 million in damages by a Portland jury.
The incident occurred as the man was working on a car near his home. The police officer, without proper cause, accused him of stealing the car. The officer forcefully grabbed the man's arm, twisted it behind his back, shoved him against the patrol car hood, and executed a move known to cause serious injury by pushing the man's arms upward. Subsequently, the officer handcuffed and placed him in the patrol car.
For the damages incurred due to excessive force, the jury awarded the plaintiff $150,000 for economic damages. This amount is intended to cover the costs of medical treatment, including surgery, for the shoulder injury inflicted during the arrest. Additionally, $1 million was granted for noneconomic damages, encompassing pain, suffering, and emotional distress. To serve as a punitive measure, the jury awarded $2 million in punitive damages.
The incident took place in the early hours of September 17, 2021, while the plaintiff and two other men were working on the car. The officer accused them of attempting to steal the vehicle upon arrival. The plaintiff, feeling targeted, informed the officer that he resided on the premises, no one had called the police, and the officer should leave. Despite this, the officer persisted, leading to the arrest.
During the trial, the plaintiff argued that he was being profiled and stereotyped. The defendant, an eight-year veteran of the Salem Police Department, claimed he used force because the plaintiff was resisting arrest. However, he denied pushing the plaintiff's arms up behind his back. The jury, after considering testimony from those involved, expert opinions, and security video evidence, sided with the plaintiff, highlighting the injustice and excessive force exerted by the police officer.
