VIDEO: Rough Arrest at Ore. Strip Club
Portland Police used appropriate force when arresting a man in the parking lot of a strip club, an agency lieutenant wrote in a letter to the man.
In the letter to Jason Cox, Lt. Chris Davis said Portland Police Bureau officers were within policy when they used a TASER and punches to subdue him in June of 2011. Cox has sued the city for $545,000, claiming excessive force.
The officers approached Cox at Pallas Club, a Southeast Portland strip club, after suspecting him of drunk driving. Cox can be seen in the video arguing with the officers who attempt to give him a field-sobriety test. While attempting to spread Cox's legs, Officer Robert Bruders ends up on the ground wrestling with Cox. The officer can be seen striking Cox several times.
Other officers helped Officer Bruders subdue Cox. Officer Sarah Kerwin said in her report that she fired a TASER at Cox's back because he was refusing to bring his arms out from under his body while on the ground, reports The Oregonian. The arrest was captured on security camera video from a nearby business.