Local News in Brief : Family Gets $35,000 in Brutality Case

The Long Beach City Council has approved a $35,000 settlement for a family that sued the city alleging police brutality and illegal entrance of their home by officers.

The council, meeting in closed session, approved the settlement for William Westland, his wife and his two sons, Assistant City Atty. Robert Shannon said. Following a disagreement during a traffic stop, officers allegedly went to the Westland home in Long Beach, where a fight ensued and Westland and his sons were arrested. Westland also alleged he was beaten by officers en route to jail.

Westland pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace. But the sons were never prosecuted and, as part of the settlement, the city stipulated that they should not have been arrested, said E. Thomas Barham, attorney for the Westlands.