By Jason Kandel and Michelle Valles, NBCLosAngeles.com
Lawyers for a medical marijuana dispensary worker allegedly hurt in a police raid at a Long Beach shop filed a claim on Thursday seeking $1 million in damages from the city of Long Beach.
The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that a police raid of a pot shop June 19 was illegal and that the officers involved used excessive force.
"In terms of the excessive force claim, we will investigate that aspect of it," said Long Beach City Attorney Robert E. Shannon.
See the original report at NBCLosAngeles.com
Shannon said that the Long Beach Police Department is also mulling whether to open a criminal investigation into the activities of the medical marijuana dispensary and that police are considering an internal investigation into the officers? conduct during the raid.
The claim, filed Thursday with the Long Beach City Clerk?s office, alleges officers injured a volunteer employee, violated his civil rightsand violated the state?s disabled persons act.
It also alleges officers "engaged in conduct that violated various provisions of the state and federal constitutions," the claim alleges.
The claim stems from a YouTube video that shows officers smashing surveillance cameras and stepping on a suspect at THC Downtown Collective in the 300 block of Atlantic Boulevard. The video was posted by user "Long Beach Raids" on July 1. Officials said they learned about the video on July 3.
An advocate for medical marijuana dispensary owners and workers criticized the officers? conduct.
"That behavior is so blatant it cannot be the first time," said Steven Downing, a retired Los Angeles Police Department deputy chief and current board member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition."It was arrogant. It was unnecessary and it was brutal."
The claim seeks damages in excess $1 million for medical treatment and mental counseling.
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