Excessive Force Claim Filed Against Centralia

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A man has filed a $25,000 claim for damages against the city of Centralia for what his attorney described as “the tortuous conduct of its employees and their use of excessive force.”

In a letter to the city, Jacob Clark, attorney for Steve Radick, said his client had to go to a hospital after he was taken down and arrested by three police officers. 

The claim centers around an incident in November 2013 during which Radick got into a dispute with a neighbor. 

The police responded after Radick was punched in the face by his neighbor, but they didn’t arrest anyone before leaving. A half hour later, the police returned after the neighbor accused Radick of shutting off his electricity. 

Again, nothing came of the situation, Clark said. 

While talking with one of the police officers, Radick hit him in the chest with the back of his hand. The officer told Radick “You can’t touch me,” and a second police officer grabbed Radick by the head and took him to the ground and tried to arrest him, according to  Clark’s letter.

Statements by the involved officers to the attorney say they couldn’t get Radick’s hands out from beneath him so they threw several punches and knees into his body. 

The letter claims Radick put his arms out to cushion the fall and his hands were pinned beneath him by the weight of the officers on top of him. 

Radick was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital and diagnosed with an open cheek wound, bruising to the face and chest, an injured back and a sprained knee. 

Clark asked the city for $25,000 as compensation. 

Washington Cities Insurance Authority, which handles Centralia’s claims for damages, denied the claim, saying, “While his injuries are unfortunate they are a result of his own actions.”

In their review of the event, the insurance company stands by the police and called their use of force reasonable. 

At the hospital, Radick was so intoxicated that “he needed to be watched for alcohol withdrawal,” according to police.   

The letter also notes that he subsequently pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault. 

The Centralia City Council will review the claim for damages as part of its agenda on Tuesday evening.