Plaintiff claims use of excessive force during arrest for suspected car theft. Defense verdict. San Diego County.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  Defendant Jordan Walker is a law enforcement officer with the Carlsbad Police Department. On April 27, 2019, at approximately 8:35 p.m., while Officer Walker was responding to a report of a vehicle burglary, he observed plaintiff Jose Luis Barajas Centeno attempting to unlock the door of a white pickup truck using a metal “slim jim” tool.

  Officer Walker informed plaintiff that he would be detained while Officer Walker investigated the reported vehicle burglary.  He was shortly thereafter arrested, during which arrest the claim of excessive force arose.  

  Officer Walker issued plaintiff a citation for obstructing, delaying, or resisting a peace officer, in violation of Penal Code, section 148. Plaintiff sued Officer Walker, Officer Gallivan, and the City of Carlsbad, alleging unlawful arrest and excessive force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment and state law. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of Officer Gallivan and the City of Carlsbad. The claims against Officer Walker proceeded to a jury trial. 

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  Plaintiff contended that the contact, detention and arrest were unlawful, and included the use of excessive force.

  Plaintiff did not speak English, and he was physically handicapped.  He claimed that he yelled to the police officers that he was handicapped. He did not understand the officers' orders, and was not given time to comply if he did. Two officers threw him to the ground.  He was arrested without being informed of the reasons for the arrest.   

• Defendant's Contentions:

  That there was no use of excessive force.

  That plaintiff attempted to resist detention by pulling his hands out of Officer Walker’s grasp, leaning his body forward, and attempting to run away. To control plaintiff and prevent his flight, Officer Walker took plaintiff to the ground. Once plaintiff was on the ground, Officer Walker and his partner, defendant officer James Gallivan, ordered plaintiff to put his hands behind his back so that he could be handcuffed. The order was repeated three times, but plaintiff refused to put his hands behind his back and continued to resist. In an effort to overcome plaintiff’s resistance, Officer Walker used a compliance strike technique, consisting of two blows with Officer Walker’s right knee to plaintiff’s lower back, in quick succession. Immediately thereafter, plaintiff placed his hands behind his back and was handcuffed.