Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Judge Says Oakland Police Used Excessive Force

A federal judge says Oakland police used excessive force during the arrest of a home care worker and has ordered the city and three officers to pay the man nearly $200,000.

U.S. Magistrate Maria-Elena James ruled Monday that Officer Michael Cordoza's use of a choke hold and bent wrist lock on Uganda Knapps on Aug. 10, 2004, was unnecessary.

James also said Officer Francisco Rojas and Sgt. Jim Kelly did nothing to stop Cordoza and were involved in a subsequent fabricated police report.

Cardoza maintained he used force after seeing Knapps hit a resident of the mental health facility where he worked.

An Oakland police spokesman referred comment to the city attorney's office, which says it plans to discuss the decision with the city council.

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