Worcester, MA Police Officer James Powers is still on the force. City officials Friday declined to state the results of the department’s internal investigation or say whether the officer faced discipline.
Ms. Morales alleged in a 2013 lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court that Officer Powers, who was described as a department veteran, insulted her race, beat her “mercilessly” and issued false charges to cover up his misdeeds.
According to her lawsuit, Officer Powers went to her Marble Street apartment three times on Feb. 23, 2013, responding to reports of disturbances. The third time, the suit alleges, Officer Powers “barged in” to her apartment and became “enraged” when he believed he was being lied to about a disturbance.
Officer Powers allegedly arrested a house guest of Ms. Morales in a rough manner when she criticized him for the way he spoke to Ms. Morales. Then, Ms. Morales alleged, Officer Powers turned his ire on the 5-foot, 4-inch, 135-pound grandmother after she uttered the words, “Oh my God, police brutality.”
“I will show you police brutality!” the lawsuit accused Officer Powers of saying before he allegedly “charged at the diminutive (woman), picked her off the ground, and body slammed her with all his might.”
Ms. Morales was charged with resisting arrest, keeping a disorderly house and disturbing the peace. She was not booked at the police station but was instead taken directly to the hospital, where, her lawsuit alleges, she was diagnosed with broken bones, including a broken shoulder.
The injuries required “extensive surgical procedures,” states the lawsuit, which demanded $1 million.
The lawsuit was filed four months after a Central District Court jury found Ms. Morales not guilty of the three charges levied against her.
In a statement of facts filed in court, Officer Power alleged that Ms. Morales prompted the arrest by continually screaming obscenities, and then resisted arrest by falling to the ground, balling herself up and refusing to allow her hands to be cuffed.
Court documents indicated that Ms. Morales’ lawyer argued against the resisting arrest charge by saying that Officer Powers used excessive force.
Included in the court file were several photos of Ms. Morales, including one that showed her with a black eye and another that showed extensive bruising to her arm and right breast.
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