Civil Liberties

Recorded Beating Basis for Lawsuit Against Police

Cameras can be our friends

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A pair of federal civil rights lawsuits filed Thursday claim suburban York police officers beat two suspects in separate incidents — both partially captured on video — then made false reports to cover up the assaults.

Both cases involve allegations against Springettsbury Township Patrolman Chad Moyer, shown in the videos released by attorney Devon Jacob apparently punching a handcuffed woman and kneeing a man, leaving him with five broken ribs.

Other officers who allegedly took part in the assaults or who were supervisors are named in the lawsuit, along with the township and the police department.

"These officers behaved like criminals," Jacob said. "If the township does not remove them from the street and criminally prosecute them, the township is complicit in their conduct."