Complaint Regarding Sebring Florida Police K9 bite and Excessive Force
Mayor John Shoop
368 S. Commerce Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
Subject: Complaint Regarding Sebring Police K9 bite and Excessive Force
Dear Mayor John Shoop,
1. I am writing to bring a serious matter to your attention that occurred on December 30th at around 2:00am. I am domiciled at REDACTED INFORMATION, and the incident took place in my driveway.
2. On or about 2:00am I went to a Mc Donald’s drive thru with a friend Brandon Conner (who was also falsely arrested, suffered excessive force and emotional distress during this interaction) while in line I noticed Police Officers pulling over cars of different sizes and colors back to back (one being a small red car and down the street a white SUV).
3. Once we got food I began traveling southbound REDACTED INFORMATION back to my domicile, I noticed a vehicle with very bright lights following my speed, as I attempted to turn right onto REDACTED INFORMATION this vehicle which at this point noticing it was a police officer. I thought nothing of it except maybe he was reading my Georgia license plates, business magnets and social media decal on my windows and doors (which are bright orange and white) and would just move on.
4. I continued down REDACTED INFORMATION. The Police Officer was still following me with no lights or indication there was an emergency.
5. As I got closer to my domicile I put a curtsy left blinker on to let the Police Officer know where I was headed; thinking he would just pass me by.
6. I pulled into my driveway and put my conveyance into park.
7. The second I let my foot off of the break I saw bright Police lights and heard a man screaming over-aggressively to put my hands out of the window (I put my hands outside the conveyance immediately) and when I turned back to my left I saw a man with a gun pointing at me. A minute later, I looked back and saw multiple Police Officers and the guns and weapons beginning to get bigger and bigger.
8. At this point I am trying to stay calm and asking them “what did I do?”, no one replied with an answer which made me more afraid of what they might have thought I’ve done, and then the Police Officers began to demand me out of my conveyance with threats of dog mutilation.
9. While my hands were outside of my window I was pleading for my life and expressing to the Police Officers that I am in fear of my life and I do not feel safe or comfortable stepping outside of the automobile, let alone moving my hands to create even more possible misunderstandings.
10. Just moments into this incident I witnessed very aggressive dog barks and growls, as I turned around I saw a very boisterous dog seemingly out of control even for it’s own handler.
11. As the Police Officers continued to threaten me without cause and demand me to exit my conveyance (in which I believed at the time would subject me to great harm or even death) I continued to plead “I am in fear of my life!” “what did I do?” and “Am I under arrest?”.
12. No Police Officer would tell me what I did or why my life was being threatened.
13. A Police Officer did tell me at this point I was being detained. Not Arrested.
14. It was at this time I made the brave decision to step outside of the automobile.
15. Before attempting to exit my conveyance I announced to the Police Officers that I am opening the door and coming out.
16. One Officer in the back was instructing me on how to do so slowly and safely; so I thought.
17. I was told to use my left hand to open the door from the outside.
18. When I noticed the door was locked I immediately communicated to the Police Officer that the door was locked and it was a this point he instructed me to keep my left hand on the door handle and with my right hand unlock the door from the inside.
19. As I had my left hand on the outside door handle and my right hand was reaching down to unlock the door from the inside like the Officer instructed I notice a deep sharp pain.
20. When I looked up I saw a dog mutilating my left upper forearm nearly piercing my Axillary, Brachial and Ulnar Arteries.
21. The Police Officer and his K9 had snuck up while I was communicating with another Police Officer on how best and safely to open my door.
22. I was being non-belligerent and non-combative.
23. I was non-threatening and in a vulnerable position that was taken advantage of.
24. The dog bite lasted approximately 8 to 10 seconds.
25. Once the Police Officers finally released the dog from my flesh I was dragged out of my conveyance and thrown to the hard concrete causing me more pain, bruises and scares.
26. As I was on the ground blood gushing out I started to ask repeatedly “what did I do?”.
27. I looked up to approximately 8 Police Officers standing over me and no one could give me an answer to this vital question “what did I do?”.
28. One Officer did tell me that I was under arrest while on the ground bleeding.
29. At this point I asked the Police Officers repeatedly to read me my Miranda Rights, and I was told multiple times by multiple Officers that they did not need to read me my rights.
30. A young Hispanic Officer was attempting to speak to me as a human, but was immediately instructed by other Officers to stay quite and not speak to me.
31. I was taken to a local hospital and chained to a bed like a criminal and was handcuffed and walked down the hall and watched even to use the restroom.
32. While in my hospital room a K9 Officer (which I believe to be Deputy B. Jones) came in and asked me if there is anything I would like to talk about pertaining to the dog bite.
34. I respectfully respondent with “I do not want to speak with any Officers, I wish to see the judge.).
35. When I got to my cell at the jailhouse I began to bleed out profusely and found myself going in and out at times to the point where an inmate in my cell with me had to bang on the door and yell to get help.
36. A man and woman Officer came to the door to see what was happening.
37. The woman Officer started laughing and said “it’s a dog bite, of course it hurts”.
38. I replied “If something happens to me in here…”.
39. She then replied “If something happens, we’ll just write up some paperwork”.
40. This incident has caused me a great deal of physical and emotional pain, including but limited to mental anguish, frustration, distress and anxiety, and I firmly believe it is in the public interest that this issue is dealt with appropriately to ensure such an event doesn’t recur to anyone else. Therefore, I kindly request you to take immediate action against those involved with an internal look and disciplinary action along with administering new training among your department of Officers also by adding body cameras.
41. No amount of money in this world will undue the pain, suffering and life long mental scare this has put on me.
Attached to this letter are photos of my physical injuries.
In the meantime I am conducting my own investigation and deciding how I will handle the traumatic situation that has happened to me in your city.
I would greatly appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Thank you for your service and your dedication to maintaining peace and order in our community.
Sincerely, Brice-Le: Williams