Maryland man sues police department for $35 million
A Baltimore man is suing the city’s police department for $35 million. The lawsuit follows the release of surveillance video showing 32-year-old Kollin Truss and a police officer involved in a physical altercation.
Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts says someone in middle management dropped the ball in handling this incident, and now he says he wants body cameras on all officers.
The few seconds of surveillance video could cost the Baltimore City Police Department millions.
“Much like the public, I was shocked, outraged and disgusted by what I saw by an employee of the Baltimore City Police Department,” Batts said.
The video shows 32-year-old Kollin Truss and Officer Vincent Cosom in a physical altercation, after Truss’ attorneys say the two exchanged words outside of a store on Greenmount and North avenues.
According to a probable cause statement, Cosom told Truss to stop loitering in front of a liquor store and then Truss told him “f–ck you. I will see you when I get outside.”
Once outside, things escalated. A woman is seen pulling Truss away, but she was also pushed by the officer.
The officer goes on to say that once Truss and the woman crossed the street, they started arguing. He says Truss pushed the woman three times, but the video released by Baltimore City police doesn’t show that happening.
“What you have here is an officer who was very mad because he felt a citizen disrespected him because he didn’t move fast enough for the officer,” said Ivan Bates, victim’s attorney.
Cosom was suspended, but the disciplinary action occurred three months after the criminal case and video was sent to the states attorney’s office.
Officials blame a “breakdown” in the system for the delay. Misdemeanor charges filed against Truss were dropped after he spent three days in jail.
Other officers at the scene could also face disciplinary action.
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