Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoA man arrested last weekend for damaging a police vehicle has filed a brutality complaint against the Lawrence Police officer who arrested him.
Asa Collier, 25, a Lawrence carpenter, said an unidentified plain-clothes police officer roughed him up, then handcuffed him without provocation.
Collier said there were several witnesses, including at least three of his friends. He said he’s hired an attorney to defend him against misdemeanor charges and to press his complaint.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday at 10th and Massachusetts streets.
Collier and his girlfriend, Claire Springer, are putting up fliers asking other witnesses to come forward.
Collier said, contrary to police reports, that he did not hit or slap the hood of the police minivan. Nor did he kick it, as police allege.
Police have accused Collier of causing $499 damage to the vehicle.
But Collier said, “The damage was caused when the officer threw me against the side of the van to handcuff me.”
He is charged with criminal damage, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct and crossing a street against a signal.
Collier, Springer and several others walked west across Massachusetts Street at the 10th Street intersection, Collier said. The traffic light changed to red as he crossed, and he noticed a van moving slowly closer to him until it was about a foot away.
“I turned and said something to my girlfriend, but I never said anything to the driver, nor did I hit the hood,” Collier said.
The officer was on duty and wearing plain clothes, police said. A police spokesman earlier this week said there were two officers in an unmarked car. Collier insists there was only one officer in the van.
The van pulled to the side of the street, where the driver got out, Collier said.
By his account, the officer told him he had “messed with the wrong guy.”
The driver then identified himself as a police officer, grabbed Collier and threw him against the unmarked police van, causing the damage, Collier said.
“I didn’t kick anything, and I was not confrontational,” Collier said.
At least three other witnesses to the event planned to file complaints about the officer’s conduct, Collier said. Those witnesses did not return calls from the Journal-World.
Springer agreed with her boyfriend’s description of the incident. She said she yelled at the officer to leave Collier alone and the officer pushed her to the ground.
“I don’t think he had any reason to do that,” she said.
The couple can be reached by e-mail at rottenbluemenace@hotmail.com or by phone at (785) 832-2851.
Police have not identified the officer and are not commenting on the incident, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said.
“Anyone who is not happy with police service is welcome to file a complaint, and it will be investigated by Internal Affairs,” Pattrick said.
Collier’s complaint will not be investigated until after the charges against him are resolved, Pattrick said. Collier is to appear Nov. 1 in Lawrence Municipal Court.
Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoA man arrested last weekend for damaging a police vehicle has filed a brutality complaint against the Lawrence Police officer who arrested him.
Asa Collier, 25, a Lawrence carpenter, said an unidentified plain-clothes police officer roughed him up, then handcuffed him without provocation.
Collier said there were several witnesses, including at least three of his friends. He said he’s hired an attorney to defend him against misdemeanor charges and to press his complaint.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday at 10th and Massachusetts streets.
Collier and his girlfriend, Claire Springer, are putting up fliers asking other witnesses to come forward.
Collier said, contrary to police reports, that he did not hit or slap the hood of the police minivan. Nor did he kick it, as police allege.
Police have accused Collier of causing $499 damage to the vehicle.
But Collier said, “The damage was caused when the officer threw me against the side of the van to handcuff me.”
He is charged with criminal damage, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct and crossing a street against a signal.
Collier, Springer and several others walked west across Massachusetts Street at the 10th Street intersection, Collier said. The traffic light changed to red as he crossed, and he noticed a van moving slowly closer to him until it was about a foot away.
“I turned and said something to my girlfriend, but I never said anything to the driver, nor did I hit the hood,” Collier said.
The officer was on duty and wearing plain clothes, police said. A police spokesman earlier this week said there were two officers in an unmarked car. Collier insists there was only one officer in the van.
The van pulled to the side of the street, where the driver got out, Collier said.
By his account, the officer told him he had “messed with the wrong guy.”
The driver then identified himself as a police officer, grabbed Collier and threw him against the unmarked police van, causing the damage, Collier said.
“I didn’t kick anything, and I was not confrontational,” Collier said.
At least three other witnesses to the event planned to file complaints about the officer’s conduct, Collier said. Those witnesses did not return calls from the Journal-World.
Springer agreed with her boyfriend’s description of the incident. She said she yelled at the officer to leave Collier alone and the officer pushed her to the ground.
“I don’t think he had any reason to do that,” she said.
The couple can be reached by e-mail at rottenbluemenace@hotmail.com or by phone at (785) 832-2851.
Police have not identified the officer and are not commenting on the incident, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said.
“Anyone who is not happy with police service is welcome to file a complaint, and it will be investigated by Internal Affairs,” Pattrick said.
Collier’s complaint will not be investigated until after the charges against him are resolved, Pattrick said. Collier is to appear Nov. 1 in Lawrence Municipal Court.
Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoA man arrested last weekend for damaging a police vehicle has filed a brutality complaint against the Lawrence Police officer who arrested him.
Asa Collier, 25, a Lawrence carpenter, said an unidentified plain-clothes police officer roughed him up, then handcuffed him without provocation.
Collier said there were several witnesses, including at least three of his friends. He said he’s hired an attorney to defend him against misdemeanor charges and to press his complaint.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday at 10th and Massachusetts streets.
Collier and his girlfriend, Claire Springer, are putting up fliers asking other witnesses to come forward.
Collier said, contrary to police reports, that he did not hit or slap the hood of the police minivan. Nor did he kick it, as police allege.
Police have accused Collier of causing $499 damage to the vehicle.
But Collier said, “The damage was caused when the officer threw me against the side of the van to handcuff me.”
He is charged with criminal damage, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct and crossing a street against a signal.
Collier, Springer and several others walked west across Massachusetts Street at the 10th Street intersection, Collier said. The traffic light changed to red as he crossed, and he noticed a van moving slowly closer to him until it was about a foot away.
“I turned and said something to my girlfriend, but I never said anything to the driver, nor did I hit the hood,” Collier said.
The officer was on duty and wearing plain clothes, police said. A police spokesman earlier this week said there were two officers in an unmarked car. Collier insists there was only one officer in the van.
The van pulled to the side of the street, where the driver got out, Collier said.
By his account, the officer told him he had “messed with the wrong guy.”
The driver then identified himself as a police officer, grabbed Collier and threw him against the unmarked police van, causing the damage, Collier said.
“I didn’t kick anything, and I was not confrontational,” Collier said.
At least three other witnesses to the event planned to file complaints about the officer’s conduct, Collier said. Those witnesses did not return calls from the Journal-World.
Springer agreed with her boyfriend’s description of the incident. She said she yelled at the officer to leave Collier alone and the officer pushed her to the ground.
“I don’t think he had any reason to do that,” she said.
The couple can be reached by e-mail at rottenbluemenace@hotmail.com or by phone at (785) 832-2851.
Police have not identified the officer and are not commenting on the incident, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said.
“Anyone who is not happy with police service is welcome to file a complaint, and it will be investigated by Internal Affairs,” Pattrick said.
Collier’s complaint will not be investigated until after the charges against him are resolved, Pattrick said. Collier is to appear Nov. 1 in Lawrence Municipal Court.
Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoA man arrested last weekend for damaging a police vehicle has filed a brutality complaint against the Lawrence Police officer who arrested him.
Asa Collier, 25, a Lawrence carpenter, said an unidentified plain-clothes police officer roughed him up, then handcuffed him without provocation.
Collier said there were several witnesses, including at least three of his friends. He said he’s hired an attorney to defend him against misdemeanor charges and to press his complaint.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday at 10th and Massachusetts streets.
Collier and his girlfriend, Claire Springer, are putting up fliers asking other witnesses to come forward.
Collier said, contrary to police reports, that he did not hit or slap the hood of the police minivan. Nor did he kick it, as police allege.
Police have accused Collier of causing $499 damage to the vehicle.
But Collier said, “The damage was caused when the officer threw me against the side of the van to handcuff me.”
He is charged with criminal damage, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct and crossing a street against a signal.
Collier, Springer and several others walked west across Massachusetts Street at the 10th Street intersection, Collier said. The traffic light changed to red as he crossed, and he noticed a van moving slowly closer to him until it was about a foot away.
“I turned and said something to my girlfriend, but I never said anything to the driver, nor did I hit the hood,” Collier said.
The officer was on duty and wearing plain clothes, police said. A police spokesman earlier this week said there were two officers in an unmarked car. Collier insists there was only one officer in the van.
The van pulled to the side of the street, where the driver got out, Collier said.
By his account, the officer told him he had “messed with the wrong guy.”
The driver then identified himself as a police officer, grabbed Collier and threw him against the unmarked police van, causing the damage, Collier said.
“I didn’t kick anything, and I was not confrontational,” Collier said.
At least three other witnesses to the event planned to file complaints about the officer’s conduct, Collier said. Those witnesses did not return calls from the Journal-World.
Springer agreed with her boyfriend’s description of the incident. She said she yelled at the officer to leave Collier alone and the officer pushed her to the ground.
“I don’t think he had any reason to do that,” she said.
The couple can be reached by e-mail at rottenbluemenace@hotmail.com or by phone at (785) 832-2851.
Police have not identified the officer and are not commenting on the incident, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said.
“Anyone who is not happy with police service is welcome to file a complaint, and it will be investigated by Internal Affairs,” Pattrick said.
Collier’s complaint will not be investigated until after the charges against him are resolved, Pattrick said. Collier is to appear Nov. 1 in Lawrence Municipal Court.
