Kansas City police settle civil lawsuit over officer’s use of stun gun
Kansas City police have agreed to pay $98,750 to a store clerk to settle a civil lawsuit involving an officer’s use of a stun gun to subdue the clerk.
Damian Words alleged in a civil lawsuit that Officer Dale Secor allowed a situation involving a parking ticket to unnecessarily escalate. The incident happened about midday May 31, 2014, near the Short Stop Mini Mart at 3201 E. 51st St.
“Mr. Words was very pleased that the injury he suffered as a result of the needless Taser was recognized and valued for the suffering he experienced,” said Arthur Benson, the attorney who represented Words.
The financial settlement was reached last week, and the department was dismissed from the lawsuit Monday.
Secor violated department policies and officer training when he used his stun gun after Words refused to comply with his commands, according to the lawsuit filed last September in Jackson County Circuit Court.
According to police, Secor noticed a white Buick Regal illegally parked on a sidewalk. Because the car had dark tinted windows, Secor could not see if anyone was inside. He opened the unlocked driver’s side door.
Words walked out of the store and yelled that Secor had no right to get into his car and to get away from it.
Secor said Words became upset and aggressive. He told Words that his vehicle was illegally parked and repeatedly asked to see his identification, according to the police report.
Words refused and “bladed his body and got into a power stance,” the incident report stated.
Secor fired his stun gun, striking Words in the left upper chest and left forearm.
Words said in the lawsuit that he posed no threat to the officer and was leaning against the Buick before Secor deployed his stun gun.
Dashcam video captured the exchange between the two.
Secor still is employed with the Police Department.
Glenn E. Rice: 816-234-4341, @GRicekcstar
This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Kansas City police settle civil lawsuit over officer’s use of stun gun."