Woman files civil complaint against Seattle officer in speeding case
A Seattle woman has filed a civil complaint against a Seattle police officer, his wife and the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department claiming she suffered physical pain and several emotional distress after he struck her with a metal object during a traffic stop.
An attorney for the woman, Linda Chau, said in court documents that on Aug. 12, 2007, officer James Campbell hailed her to stop in the 5200 block of Rainier Avenue South.
"As Ms. Chau was stopping her motorcycle, per Officer Campbell's command to stop, Officer Campbell struck Ms. Chau in the head with a metallic object, which was either the electronic speed measuring device or Officer Campbell's police baton," according to the complaint filed this month in U.S. District Court. "At the time Officer Campbell struck Ms. Chau, she was wearing her helmet, and Ms. Chau's motorcycle was still in motion."
That year, Chau filed a complaint with the department's Office of Professional Accountability. The complaint was sustained.
Seattle police spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb did not comment on the pending litigation, citing department policy. He confirmed the OPA complaint was sustained.
Chau claims in court documents she did not put the officer's safety in jeopardy or demonstrate aggressive or offensive behavior.
The complaint claims the blow hurt Chau's head, neck and upper back, as well as damaging her helmet. It alleges Campbell used excessive force and that Chau, an Asian American, was treated unfairly because of her race and gender.
The complaint also claims some superior officers in the police department failed to adequately supervise Campbell.
Chau was found to have been speeding, according to Seattle Municipal Court records. A 2008 Seattle case for defective headlights was cleared as a warning.
She seeks general, actual and punitive damages in an amount to be proven at a trial, as well as other expenses.
Campbell, 45, was hired by the Seattle Police Department in April 1987.
A Seattle woman has filed a civil complaint against a Seattle police officer, his wife and the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department claiming she suffered physical pain and several emotional distress after he struck her with a metal object during a traffic stop.
An attorney for the woman, Linda Chau, said in court documents that on Aug. 12, 2007, officer James Campbell hailed her to stop in the 5200 block of Rainier Avenue South.
"As Ms. Chau was stopping her motorcycle, per Officer Campbell's command to stop, Officer Campbell struck Ms. Chau in the head with a metallic object, which was either the electronic speed measuring device or Officer Campbell's police baton," according to the complaint filed this month in U.S. District Court. "At the time Officer Campbell struck Ms. Chau, she was wearing her helmet, and Ms. Chau's motorcycle was still in motion."
That year, Chau filed a complaint with the department's Office of Professional Accountability. The complaint was sustained.
Seattle police spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb did not comment on the pending litigation, citing department policy. He confirmed the OPA complaint was sustained.
Chau claims in court documents she did not put the officer's safety in jeopardy or demonstrate aggressive or offensive behavior.
The complaint claims the blow hurt Chau's head, neck and upper back, as well as damaging her helmet. It alleges Campbell used excessive force and that Chau, an Asian American, was treated unfairly because of her race and gender.
The complaint also claims some superior officers in the police department failed to adequately supervise Campbell.
Chau was found to have been speeding, according to Seattle Municipal Court records. A 2008 Seattle case for defective headlights was cleared as a warning.
She seeks general, actual and punitive damages in an amount to be proven at a trial, as well as other expenses.
Campbell, 45, was hired by the Seattle Police Department in April 1987.