Man Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Alleged LAPD Beating

A man has has accused Los Angeles Police Department officers of beating him unconscious in a civil rights violation lawsuit filed in federal court Friday.

Clinton Alford Jr. claims he was riding his bike home on Oct. 16 when an officer tried to stop him in South LA.

In his legal papers, the 22-year-old says he was scared and decided to run away, which led to a chase.

Alford alleges he was chased down by officers, who used a Taser on him before hitting and kicking him. He claims that despite not resisting arrest he was kicked so forcefully that he blacked out and lost a filling.

A store's surveillance camera captured the incident but the video has not been released.

The City of Los Angeles, Police Chief Charlie Beck and five officers are cited in the lawsuit.

The department declined to comment on the lawsuit, however Chief Beck said in a statement last month he is "extremely concerned about this particular use of force." The LAPD launched an investigation into the incident last month.

LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith said the officers are on paid leave as the LAPD investigates and urged anyone with information to come forward. The incident is also being reviewed by the department's independent inspector general and the district attorney's office.

"Let me be very clear. Any officer that is found to abuse the public is not welcome in this department, and we will apply whatever legal or administrative means necessary to insure the community's trust without exception," Beck said.

Alford's attorney, Caree Harper, said two charges against him — resisting arrest and possession of rock cocaine for sale — have been dismissed. He's still charged with drug possession for personal use, but Harper said she's confident it will be eventually dismissed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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