Second suit filed against ex-cop

Thu., June 21, 2007

Taryn Brodwater Staff writer

A lawsuit has been filed against a former Post Falls police officer who was fired last spring for using excessive force.

Scott A. Walker, formerly of Spirit Lake, is seeking more than $500,000 in a federal lawsuit against the department and former officer Erik Andersen. Walker claims he was falsely arrested and battered by Andersen in June 2005.

Police Chief Cliff Hayes and Sgt. Brett Chapman also are named in the suit. Hayes said he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit and declined to comment.

Chapman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Walker’s suit is the second $500,000 claim to be filed against the department alleging excessive force by Andersen. Bradley Platt is suing the city in District Court for injuries he sustained during a January 2005 arrest.

Andersen himself is suing the city, claiming wrongful termination.

Walker was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated on June 16, 2005, after two felony probation officers called police to report a weaving vehicle on Chase Road.

The probation officers followed the truck into the parking lot and watched Walker get out and go inside the bar, according to police reports.

Andersen and Chapman, accompanied by the probation officers, went inside the bar to question Walker.

Walker admitted to drinking during the day and told police he drove from Rathdrum to Post Falls, the report said. He failed DUI evaluations, and his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

Walker at one point refused to get in the police car, according to the report. Andersen said he struck Walker’s right thigh because he wouldn’t get in the car, then tried to strike him again.

Andersen said Walker kicked him in the shin. The officer used a Taser on Walker’s hip to subdue him. Walker was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for driving under the influence and battery on an officer.

Walker claims Andersen charged him with battery on an officer to “justify the use of excessive force” in using a Taser on him while he was handcuffed.

The charges were reduced to inattentive driving and disturbing the peace, and Walker was sentenced to two years probation.

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Second suit filed against ex-cop

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