Philadelphia man says cops roughed him up, caused injuries

A Philadelphia police officer allegedly became recklessly physical with a suspect, causing him to sustain head injuries, according to a federal suit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Raekwon Wilson seeks compensatory and punitive damages for what he says were violations of his civil rights. The suit has been filed against the officer, his partner and the City of Philadelphia for failing to properly train police on the adequate use of force.

According to the sit, on May 31, 2014, Wilson was walking with some friends to a barber shop at 55th and Chester Ave. when a police car stopped suddenly alongside them. One of the officers got out and ran toward Wilson.

A frightened Wilson began running away from the officer before he changed his mind and turned around and put his hands in the air, the claim says. The chasing officer allegedly punched Wilson in the jaw, causing him to step backwards and trip over a front stair of a home. Wilson says he hit the stoop with his back and head and briefly lost consciousness.

The officer handcuffed Wilson, searched him and placed him in the backseat of the police car for 10 minutes. Ultimately, no contraband or illegal items were found on Wilson, and the officers let him go.

Wilson went to Mercy Philadelphia Hospital for x-rays and a CAT scan to determine the severity of his injuries, the complaint says. He says that he sustained serious back and head injuries, as well as contusions and lacerations around the rest of his body.

The officers have been accused of violating Wilson's fourth and fourteenth amendment rights. The plaintiff claims that he never resisted arrest or tried to strike the officer.

"The acts of Defendants were committed willfully, wantonly, maliciously, intentionally, outrageously, deliberately and/or by conduct so egregious as to shock the conscience," the suit says.

Wilson is represented by Michael Pileggi.

The federal case ID number is 2:14-cv-03932-TON.