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Brandt Williams

Minneapolis

September 10, 2014 7:30 AM

Al Flowers files excessive force complaint against Minneapolis police

Al Flowers thanked a roomful of supporters. — Al Flowers in July, after his run-in with police.
Brandt Williams/MPR News

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Civil rights advocate Alfred Flowers has filed an excessive force complaint with the city of Minneapolis based on a confrontation he had with city police officers in his home earlier this summer.

Previously:
• Flowers arrested after struggle with police
• Don Lewis chosen to investigate arrest
• Activists say Flowers' beating "not isolated" event

Flowers' attorney, Bobby Joe Champion, said he expects the complaint, filed last week, will become part of a third party investigation led by attorney Don Lewis, of the Minneapolis firm Nilan Johnson Lewis.

Flowers alleges he was beaten by police officers who came to arrest his teenage daughter July 25. Police arrested Flowers on suspicion that he assaulted an officer. Flowers' booking photo showed him with cuts on his face.

"The force used was excessive and unnecessary," said Champion.

The complaint was filed with the city's Office of Police Conduct Review. People who file complaints with the Office may request that a civilian or a police investigator look at their cases. Champion said he requested an 'independent' investigator look at what happened that night in July.

Lewis was chosen by Mayor Betsy Hodges to lead the city's probe of the same incident. However, Champion said the scope of that investigation is too narrow *because Lewis will examine if police violated department policies. The investigation should determine whether or not the use of force by officers and if Flowers' arrest were justified, Champion said.

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