In an example of police transgressions, Michael Lewis Griffin, 40, is charged with nine counts, including allegations that he deprived a person of his rights by using excessive forces and falsifying police reports. The Minneapolis police officer allegedly identified himself as an officer and assaulted at least four people while off-duty, then filed false reports.
Griffin, a patrol officer, has been the subject of 22 internal investigations stemming from complaints about his behavior. The Police Chief Janee Harteau told a local news station that Griffin is on paid administrative leave.
The incidents cited in the indictment date back to 2010 and 2011.
In the 2010 case, Griffin was outside a Minneapolis nightclub when his friend starting arguing with another man, the indictment says. Griffin was off-duty and in plain clothes but identified himself as an officer.
According to the indictment and court documents, the other man tried to walk away, but Griffin followed and punched him in the face until he lost consciousness. Griffin then told other officers to arrest the man and filed a report saying he had been attacked.
The indictment also delineates in 2011, Griffin told a bouncer at another Minneapolis bar that he was an officer and he had four men thrown out of the club. Griffin followed the men outside and called his called his partner to have them arrested.
While outside, Griffin threw one man to the ground, ordered another to walk toward a loading dock area where Griffin kicked him in the chest, then punched and kicked another man in the head, the indictment says.
Griffin allegedly lied when other officers arrived.
The victims in both incidents sued Griffin, and the indictment says he lied in both civil cases. The Star Tribune reported that the cases led to settlements and a court verdict that have cost Minneapolis a total of $410,000. It’s very disheartening to know that an officer falsifies police reports, which often imprison innocent people.
SOURCE: HUFFINGTON POST
