Jury: City to pay $175,000 for Portland police brutality case

PORTLAND, Ore. – A jury sided with three men in an excessive force lawsuit against a Portland Police officer on Monday and the decision will cost the city $175,000.

The case centered on the actions of Portland Police officer Leo Besner, who was among officers who responded to a report of a fight in downtown Portland in 2006 during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

The plaintiffs in the case, Alex Clay, Richard Booth, and Harold Hammick, said the officers’ actions toward them were excessive and too aggressive. They sued the city for $300,000.

The three men will split the money - $175,000 - on Monday.

Hammick claimed Besner punched him in the groin and used a knife to cut the seat belts he was wearing while he sat in a vehicle.

All three said they were detained too long and for no reason. None of the three was arrested. Hammick was legally armed with a gun at the time of the incident. There was no gunfire involved in the incident.

Greg Kafoury, the attorney for Hammick, said when his client told Besner he had a concealed weapon permit and was carrying a gun, the officers overreacted because of race.

“The officers’ story is built on the ugliest of stereotypes,” Kafoury said. A witness to the incident, which took place in a parking garage, Adam Ganer, agreed with the plaintiffs’ claims.

But city attorney Bill Manlove argued the police were just doing their job after observing the men’s actions.

Besner’s history also includes shooting 30-year-old Raymond Gwerder two years ago.

Gwerder, who was suicidal, armed and had threatened to shoot police if they came inside his house, was shot by Besner while on the phone with a police negotiator, ending a 90-minute standoff.

In that case, Besner said he saw Gwerder appear to aim his gun as if he was “hunting” for something to shoot.

Ultimately, the city of Portland agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to Gwerder’s family.

Officer Besner does not face any charges in relation to the case and the Portland Police Bureau has not indicated if he faces any disciplinary action.