A 79-year-old man who says police assaulted him during a traffic stop has filed an Orange County, California injury claim against the city of Garden Grove. Mong Kim Tran claims he experienced physical pain and sustained bruises to his feet and face. He says that he continues to experience emotional distress, shame, and nervousness over the Garden Grove police brutality incident.
According to Tran's Orange County, California police brutality claim, on October 28, 2009, the Garden Grove cops that stopped him for speeding gave him an "outrageous" beating. Tran is seeking injury compensation. He also wants the city of Garden Grove to investigate the alleged incident and discipline the police officer that hurt him.
Garden Grove police are disputing Tran's account. They claim that Tran would not follow the cops' instructions (they wanted him to sign the citation for speeding). They also say that he assaulted one of the officers by punching him and kicking him in the groin. He was charged with one count each of misdemeanor assault and battery.
Tran and his family, however, say that the officers misunderstood the elderly man because he doesn't speak proper English. During a news conference last month, the 79-year-old said that the officers treated him "like an animal." He denies trying to assault the officer. Pham's injury attorney says that his client refused to sign the speeding citation because he thought it meant that by doing so he was pleading guilty.
Police Brutality
Police are not allowed to use unnecessary force when apprehending anyone. This is police brutality and a violation of the victim's rights. Unfortunately, excessive use of force by a police officer does happen. A cop might get caught up in the heat of the moment or wrongly perceive someone to be a danger. There are also police officers that abuse their authority by taking the opportunity to physically assault, sexually assault, verbally abuse, or intimidate a suspect under the guise of doing one's duty.
Claim: Police beat up 79-year-old man during traffic, OC Register, January 19, 2010
78-Year-Old Man Arrested for Kicking Cop, OC Weekly, November 3, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Garden Grove Police
Shielded from Justice, HR Watch
