An Echo Park man is suing the Los Angeles Police Department for assault and battery and false imprisonment after he claims a pair of officers used excessive force against him in October 2011.
On Wednesday, Bruce Faraon and his attorney released cell phone video of the incident. Faraon claims the officers repeatedly punched in him in the face and body, though the video does not clearly show the blows.
Faraon was walking home from work in Echo Park last year when he says the officers turned around their patrol car and ran after him with their guns drawn.
“I was so scared, all I could do was this,” said Faraon, putting both hands. “I was telling them I live right there. The next thing I know they jumped on top of me. I thought I was going to die for sure, or they could have easily accidentally shot me.”
LAPD said it does not comment on pending litigation.
Faraon’s attorney, Joshua Piovia-Scott, said his client was booked for resisting arrest and spent five days in jail.
“The police report confirms that the only reason the officers stopped Mr. Faraon on this day was because he allegedly, and I quote, ‘Had a surprised look on his face when they drove by, and supposedly grabbed his waistband,’” Piovia-Scott said.
As her son was being held down on the ground, Faroan's mother approached and began recording the confrontation.
“This has to stop,” said Ramonda Faraon. “People are getting brutally attacked by the police officers. They’re supposed to protect and serve, not attack and punish.”
During a news conference on Wednesday, Faraon maintained that he never challenged the officers, even as they shouted at him to stop resisting.
