Local News in Brief : Officer Beaten by Policeman Sues
Police Officer Edgar Whyte has filed a $2.7-million suit against the city of Los Angeles and another officer who was convicted of beating him while he posed as a narcotics suspect in an investigation of jail thefts.
The incident occurred at the Southeast Division station Feb. 3 when Whyte and a partner, John Hill, were investigating allegations that jailers were stealing from prisoners. Michael Sillers, 37, was convicted Sept. 21 of one misdemeanor count each of battery and assault under the color of authority and was sentenced to two years’ informal probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.
Hill testified that Sillers charged Whyte, who was handcuffed to a bench, pushed a knee into his chest, stepped on his thigh and hit him in the head with his fist.
In his federal court lawsuit, Whyte seeks $1.1 million each from Sillers and the city and another $500,000 in exemplary damages from Sillers.
In July, a police tribunal found Sillers guilty of misconduct and suspended him for three months.
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