From [HERE] The white Vallejo police officer, Spener Bottomley, seen in two viral videos attacking an unarmed Black man, Dejuan Hall, in a street median is the subject of a civil rights complaint filed in federal district court last October.
In court documents obtained by the Times-Herald, the complaint alleges Spencer Bottomley, along with four other Vallejo police officers, used excessive force during an April 2016 arrest. Derrick Shields alleges that while laying face down on his stomach, he was kicked, punched, and struck with a baton by the officers, according to the complaint. Shields also alleges Bottomley struck him with a flashlight during the incident.
“As a result of the police beating, plaintiff lost consciousness, experienced bruises all over his body and spine, swollen face, fractured jaw, abrasions, and broken teeth,” the complaint alleges. Shields is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with damages for emotional distress.
Two weeks ago the videotaped struggle between Bottomley and Dejuan Hall, 23, of Vacaville — which went viral nationally — has some residents concerned about excessive force by the police department.
The incident occurred about 3:15 p.m. on March 10, when police responded to a call from employees at the Valero gas station on Fairgrounds Drive that a customer, later identified as Hall, was acting erratically.
After Bottomley confronted Hall outside the store, Hall ran, and Bottomley gave chase. Witnesses said the first arriving white officer (Bottomley) chased him for several minutes until he finally gave up and sat down in the middle of the street.
Then, while he was sitting - surrendered on the ground in the median - the officer dove or pounced on him from behind. Perhaps surprised, Hall appeared to defend himself as the officer started striking him in his face with his fist and elbow. The officer then strikes the Black man with a metal flashlight. Subsequently, another white cop arrives and although both cops appear to have subdued him the cop continues to hit him with a metal flashlight.
A second officer arrives and places his knee on Hall in an attempt to subdue him. Bottomley continues to strike Hall, while additional officers arrive on scene and demand the crowd back up from the incident.
“The kid surrendered,” said one witness who didn’t want to give his name. “The cop, on the other hand, came up right behind him and he was tired too. But he immediately dove on the kid and started wailing on him.” [MORE]
In response, numerous speakers at the March 14 Vallejo City Council meeting expressed concern regarding the content of the videos, with many demanding the council, mayor and city manager get involved and prevent similar incidents from occurring. Other speakers said officers need training on how to handle disabled individuals or persons with mental illness.
The local branch of the NAACP, Chapter 1081, issued a statement last week in response to the videos.
“Physical abuse or excessive police force is not an option,” wrote chapter president Jimmie Jackson. “With that on the table NAACP has launched its own independent investigation as to what occurred before, during and after the arrest of Mr. Dejuan Hall.
Jackson said the chapter has been in contact with Vallejo police and community members present during Hall’s arrest.
“It is our aim to make sure that we look at this matter from every angle and present our findings first to this community and secondly to what other authorities necessary,” Jackson added. “NAACP is dedicated to the rights and equal justice for all of our citizens.”
Days after the incident, Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou ordered “a full and complete investigation to be conducted,” regarding whether Bottomley used excessive force.
Hall was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of an illegal narcotic, resisting arrest and violation of felony probation, police said at the time.