Woman Asks Police for Warrant, Police Respond by Roughing Her Up, Arresting Her for Obstruction

VENICE - A Venice woman is suing the city and its police department for $100,000, claiming they violated her civil rights by illegally entering her apartment last year without a warrant and "roughing her up" before arresting her for obstructing an officer.

[...]According to the police probable cause affidavit and the lawsuit, Officer Paul Freeman responded to a man's call outside Walters' apartment in the 200 block of Ave Des Parques at about 6 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2010. Walters, 48, had apparently kicked the man out of the apartment following an argument. The man, who did not live with Walters, called police after realizing his keys were in the apartment and Walters refused to open the door.

When Freeman knocked on the door, Walters refused to open it and told Freeman to "go get a search warrant," according to the lawsuit.

Freeman obtained a key from the manager and entered the apartment. What happened next differs in the police report and Walter's lawsuit.

Walters said in the complaint that Freeman "physically battered" and arrested her before taking her to jail; she alleges he did not have probable cause to enter the apartment.

Freeman, 43, who has been a Venice officer for 12 years, said in his report said that Walters was in "an extreme state of intoxication" and he wanted to "ensure she was not in any danger."

Freeman said that Walters "raised both hands in a fighting position" and he "pushed her backwards onto a bed, and placed her into custody for her protection."

She was charged with resisting an officer without force. The State Attorney's Office declined to file criminal charges against Walters.