Nurse sues LAPD officers after video shows violent arrest

A nurse has filed a lawsuit against two LAPD officers who slammed her to the ground twice during a routine traffic stop last August in Tujunga.

Michelle Jordan, 34, filed the suit Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, KTLA reported. The mother and registered nurse was arrested after police said she disobeyed their instructions, then resisted arrest during a routine traffic stop in a Del Taco parking lot.

Jordan’s attorney, Sy Nazif, said the two officers -- Christopher Hajduk and Christopher Carr -- should be prosecuted for slamming a “defenseless woman” to the ground.

“If a civilian were to assault a woman in this manner, he would go to jail,” Nazif wrote in an emailed statement to The Times. “These officers must be held to the same standard. They have to be held accountable.”

The officers’ supervisor was also named in the suit. An LAPD official said in August that the department would investigate the Aug. 21 incident.

As the 5-feet-4 Jordan exited her vehicle, she allegedly failed to comply with officers’ commands to get back into the car and was slammed to the ground by the officers and placed in handcuffs, according to officials.

While handcuffed, she was led to the officers’ patrol car. Moments later, she was slammed again to the pavement, apparently with more force, by one of the officers, who is much larger than Jordan, police officials said.

Police Chief Charlie Beck said in August he had “serious concerns” about the use of force.

“We will investigate this thoroughly and hold our officers accountable for their actions,” Beck said.

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richard.winton@latimes.com