Eau Claire is gearing up to contest a verdict and fine imposed in a civil rights case involving a police officer.
Following a jury’s decision that the officer violated a man’s civil rights during a 2019 drug bust, the city’s attorney expressed bewilderment.
While the officer was acquitted of excessive force charges, the jury found him guilty of breaching Sidney Coleman’s civil rights, citing lack of probable cause for the stop that led to the discovery of drugs and a concealed weapon.
Coleman asserted that he was a victim of racial profiling.
Eau Claire Police Chief Matt Rokus defended the officer’s actions as appropriate and non-malicious.
Despite the jury awarding Coleman $550,000, the city intends to appeal the decision.