BPD, CITY FACE FEDERAL CLAIM OVER STOP

BPD, CITY FACE FEDERAL CLAIM OVER STOP

Two young African-American men who say they were unfairly stopped and beaten have filed a federal claim against the city of Bakersfield and the police department.

Timothy Grismore and Xavier Hines say they were approached by an unmarked car while walking near West High School last month. The men say they have no criminal record and believe Grismore was slammed to the ground because they were black men walking at night. Grismore and Hines also say BPD has not properly disciplined the officers involved.

A police report says the men were disobeying officers’s commands, something Grismore and Hines dispute.

The District Attorney called the stop unjustified earlier this month. The city and BPD have 45 days to respond to the claim.

Kelli Forsch