A weird traffic stop led to felony charges. Now a Utah man is suing police for harassment

[SummerMadness]

It started with a weird traffic stop that led to felony charges. Now a Utah man is suing the police officer for harassment.

What began as a simple trip to drop off his roommate at the airport in the summer of 2016 ended in a nearly two-year legal nightmare for one Utah man — and now he’s suing the police officer who he says was the driving force behind it.

That August morning, Lopeti Misinale was flagged down by a police officer doing traffic enforcement, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court. The Unified police officer mistook his car for another that had made an illegal U-turn — and the officer yelled at him to pull over, striking his hand and arm against Misinale’s Audi A-4, breaking the passenger-side mirror.

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Man fights 'false' charges filed against him by Utah police officer

A Utah man is fighting charges filed against him by a Utah police officer. He claims they are false.

According to Robert Sykes, a lawyer in Salt Lake City, Lopeti Misinale was taking his roommate to the airport in 2016 when he got came in contact with a Taylorsville City police officer.

The officer was allegedly pulling people over who made illegal U-turns at an intersection near Misinale's neighborhood.

Taylorsville Man Sues Police Department After Alleged Retaliation

A man is suing Unified Police Department after he was pulled over for U-turn he said he didn’t make — and charged with the crime twice.

Charges were dropped both times, but Lopeti Misinale said he thinks the officer was out for revenge.

 

[Nithavela]

Looks like a clear abuse of power by a police officer that couldn't just admit his mistakes and move on.

I can't wait to see how some posters will defend the cop.

 

[Tanj]

V for vindictive.

 

[SummerMadness]

Looks like a clear abuse of power by a police officer that couldn't just admit his mistakes and move on.

I can't wait to see how some posters will defend the cop.

Most cops don't do this, so it's okay. Let's ignore the fact that officers like this don't get punished and if the man wins his suit, it's the city that pays. And thus the cycle continues...

 

[rjs330]

That officer should be facing severe disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Cops make mistakes. As does everyone else. However, this kind of overreaction should not be tolerated.

 

[SummerMadness]

That officer should be facing severe disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Cops make mistakes. As does everyone else. However, this kind of overreaction should not be tolerated.

I think the problem is less whether a mistake was made and more what happens after that mistake. For instance, in the case of brutality, does the officer receive no discipline (as was found in DOJ reports on police departments across the country). Or in this case, what will be the outcome after the rampant abuse of power? I don't think paying this man is enough, this officer needs to be terminated.