Suit by 11 Latinos Accuses Oxnard Police of Brutality : Courts: Plaintiffs say they were beaten during a graduation party at a home. They allege a ‘policy of discrimination’ against Hispanics.

Eleven people filed suit Thursday against the city of Oxnard, its police chief and 10 officers, contending that the officers attacked them with flashlights, batons, Mace and police dogs at a graduation party last June.

The suit, which had been expected, accuses the department of sanctioning excessive force during arrests and of failing to discipline officers who commit acts of brutality.

Noting that all of the plaintiffs are Latinos, the suit also maintains that the alleged brutality was the result of “a policy of discrimination” against Hispanics.

Oxnard Police Chief Robert Owens said he could not comment on the suit, filed in Ventura County Superior Court. Thomas E. Beach, a private attorney retained to defend the city, also declined to comment until he has a chance to read the suit.

The suit does not specify the amount of damages sought. Last August, each of the plaintiffs filed $6-million claims against the city, all of which were rejected.

The suit stems from an incident June 16 at the home of Dominga and Louis Flores Sr. in the 1300 block of South E Street. According to the suit, the Floreses were having a party in their back yard when the 10 officers arrived about 12:30 a.m. and asked them to turn down the music.

After a discussion on the front porch of the house, the officers began beating six of the plaintiffs, according to the suit. The Floreses agreed to lower the music, the suit says, and the altercation ended.

However, the suit says, the police then “broke through the back gate . . . and clubbed and beat” several people with batons and flashlights, even after they were on the ground. Many of the officers had removed their badges and other signs of identification, the suit adds.

When one of the guests, David Meza, started photographing the brawl, officers took Meza’s camera and kicked and beat him, according to the suit, which accuses the officers of destroying evidence.

Two of the Floreses’ sons, Anthony and Alex, were treated at a hospital for injuries, including gashes on the head.

Anthony and Alex Flores and two other men were tried and acquitted on charges of resisting arrest stemming from the incident. The suit accuses the officers of false arrest “to justify the beatings and brutality they had administered.”

At the trial, Officer Nelson Latimer testified that the altercation began when Anthony Flores pushed him against a wall. But Anthony Flores testified that Latimer started the brawl by pushing him. Latimer, who was treated for a sprained wrist, is one of the defendants.

No hearing has been scheduled for the suit, which was assigned to Judge Robert D. Aldrich.