Governmental Entity Liability Team Succeeds in Officer-Involved-Shooting Case

Los Angeles Partner Geoffrey R. Plowden and San Diego Associate Sheila M. Templeton secured a favorable verdict for our clients, a city and its police department, in a case centered around an officer-involved shooting. On the date of the incident, the plaintiff made numerous threatening and harassing 911 phone calls, and police officers were dispatched to investigate plaintiff’s violation of California Penal Code § 653x, which prohibits “communication with the 911 emergency system with the intent to annoy or harass…” Upon finding plaintiff at a parking lot, one sergeant initiated a traffic stop and instructed plaintiff to place his hands on the dashboard. Plaintiff was noncompliant and instead proceeded to assault the sergeant.