KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A lawsuit filed by a corner store worker claims a Kansas City police officer violated department policy when he used a stun gun on him during a confrontation over a parking violation.
The Kansas City Star (http://bit.ly/1Pk2Lqg) reports Damian Words accuses Officer Dale Secor of battery for using the stun gun and of letting the situation unnecessarily escalate. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the May 2014 incident.
Words says he suffered physically and emotionally, and still has nightmares about it
"This battery and injury to Mr. Words occurred because Secor by his training and the rules of the police department should have de-escalated the situation, but instead he escalated it to violence," said Arthur Benson, the attorney representing Words.
Police say Secor had noticed a car illegally parked on a sidewalk, and he opened a door because tinted windows prevented him from seeing if anyone was inside. Words walked from the store and yelled at Secor, telling him to get away from his car and that he had no right to get in it.
According to a police report, Secor said Words was upset and aggressive, and that he told Words his car was illegally parked and asked for identification.
The police report says Words refused and "got into a power stance." The stun gun struck Words in the chest and forearm.
Words said in the lawsuit that he was leaning on his car and didn't pose a threat when Secor used the stun gun. The lawsuit claims Secor was "antagonistic, defensive and refused to listen."
Secor is being represented by the Missouri attorney general's office. A spokeswoman declined to comment.