Arbitrator judges no Police Brutality in Morse case

• Recommends that the policeman be given back pay and a cleared record.

An impartial arbitrator has found that former Inglewood police officer Jeremy Morse did not use excessive force in the videotaped arrest of a teenager and recommended that the city compensate Morse with full back pay since his termination two years ago. Arbitrator Donald A. Anderson of Rolling Hills Estates heard evidence over three days in May and June from both the Inglewood Police Officers Association, representing Morse, and the city of Inglewood in Morse's disciplinary action appeal. Without proper investigation and in violation of Morse's rights, Anderson found, the city and Police Chief Ronald Banks fired Morse on the grounds that his actions were excessive and outside the scope of his training and department policy. Anderson recommended that Morse should not be reinstated, but rather reimbursed for lost wages, less any income he received in the interim, including unemployment compensation.

• Morse (Pictured above) was terminated shortly after the July 6, 2002, incident at a gas station where Morse and officer Bijan Darvish aided sheriff's deputies in a skirmish that began when they questioned Jackson's father about an expired license tag. Jackson, who was a special education student ignored a deputy's warnings to stay back. Jackson was taken to the ground as officers tried to handcuff him. A videotape, taken by an amateur videographer, shows Morse lifting the 16-year-old off the ground by the back of his collar and waistband. The city contends Morse then used excessive force and "slammed" the unresisting teen down on the back of a patrol car.  Morse is also seen punching Jackson in the face, but claims Jackson grabbed his groin and ignored his orders to "Let go." [more ]