Former Kansas City police officer pleads guilty to charge relating to excessive force during arrest

A former Kansas City police officer accused of excessive force during an arrest has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of harassment.

Shannon D. Hansen, 46, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court to the charge, which stems from an arrest two years ago. The incident was captured on dashcam video.

Hansen, who resigned from the Kansas City Police Department in July, was sentenced to two years of probation along with 30 days of shock time in jail.

“As peace officers and public servants, we have a responsibility to always act with integrity and conduct ourselves in a professional manner, no matter the circumstances,” Chief Darryl Forté said in a release. “Police face incredibly difficult situations every day, but we are held to a high standard of service by both the community and each other.”

Hansen’s case was sealed Friday while it was determined where he would serve the shock time. He surrendered Monday to the Polk County jail in Bolivar, Mo.

In addition to serving the 30 days in jail, Hansen agreed to perform 100 hours of community service, complete an anger-management class and surrender his law enforcement certification. He is prohibited from being employed in any law enforcement capacity.

If Hansen fails his probation, he faces a year in jail.

The case involved the May 2, 2014, arrest of Manuel Palacio, who pleaded guilty to stealing and is serving a five-year prison sentence. Palacio sued Kansas City police in December, saying they used excessive force.

In addition to naming Hansen, the lawsuit named Officer Jacob Harris and Sgt. Todd Hall. Hall is no longer with the department. Harris remains on administrative assignment while the case is being reviewed.

According to court documents:

Police were investigating an armed robbery. After talking with the victim, officers spotted Palacio near Independence and East Cypress avenues, and he matched the description of the robber.

Dashcam video shows a police car driven by Hansen coming up from behind and bumping Palacio with its bumper as he was walking away. The video also shows Harris and Hansen approach Palacio and attempt to take him into custody. Hansen can be seen striking Palacio in his upper body several times with a closed fist.

After Palacio is placed in handcuffs, Hansen uses his knee to press on Palacio’s body during a search. Hansen can be seen applying increasing weight to Palacio’s body.

After the search, Hansen can be heard telling Palacio: “You’re not only going to get an (expletive) whooping from us, but you’re getting it from him (the robbery victim).

“I’m giving him your address, and your mom’s (expletive) address, and everybody address that you know. And I hope his family comes over and takes a (expletive) ball bat to your (expletive) head.”

The dashcam video was noticed by an assistant Jackson County prosecutor who was reviewing evidence. Prosecutors contacted federal authorities, who reviewed the evidence and declined to take the case.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 9:30 PM with the headline "Former Kansas City police officer pleads guilty to charge relating to excessive force during arrest."