Officials say a police officer in Alabama has been arrested and will be fired for attacking a man who was in town from India to care for his sick grandson.
The Washington Post reports that the Feb. 6 incident left Sureshbhai Patel, 57, partially paralyzed. Responding to a call about a man looming near garages in a Madison, Ala. neighborhood, Parker encountered Patel, hurling him to the ground and, as a result, injuring his neck severely. Patel had traveled to the United States to help take care of a grandson who was experiencing health ailments after a premature birth.
Claiming that his client's civil rights were violated, a lawyer representing Patel filed a lawsuit against the Madison Police Department yesterday. Speaking with reporters, Madison Police Chief Larry Muncie revealed that he recommended that the officer who played the role of aggressor also be fired.
The Madison police concluded from its investigation into the incident that the officer’s actions did not meet the high standards and expectations” of his department, Muncey said. Muncey apologized to Patel, Patel’s family, and the community. The police chief added that the FBI was conducting a parallel inquiry to ascertain if there were any federal violations. He declined to answer any questions, citing the pending lawsuit.
According to the Associated Press, a spokesman for the Indian government acknowledged that they remain "extremely disturbed" by Patel's treatment at the hands of Madison police. The Post adds that government representatives paid a visit to Patel at the hospital yesterday.
[via Washington Post and Associated Press]
