Taunton man files suit alleging excessive police force

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

Surveillance video showing a Taunton police officer getting rough with a man in the police station booking room has led to a lawsuit against the officer for excessive force.

Joseph O’Brien is now taking on the officer saying he attacked him for no good reason.

This isn’t the first time Taunton officer Robert Kramer is being sued for using excessive force.

The video shows Kramer taking down O’Brien, striking him several times in the head with his knee. O’Brien claims he gave him a concussion.

Now there’s a pending lawsuit against Kramer, the two officers assisting with the takedown, Chief Edward Walsh and the city claiming unreasonable force, and other misconduct.

O’Brien was initially arrested in June of 2014 for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Charges he was eventually found not guilty of, and dismissed.

The lawsuit claims after the surveillance video was released Chief Walsh hired two investigators to look into excessive force. Both found the actions unnecessary and unreasonable.

He then reportedly hired a third investigator who said the knee kicking was justified.

He did not discipline officer Kramer citing, "a conflict amongst the experts."

This isn’t the only lawsuit filed against officer Kramer and some Taunton police officer.

(C) WLNE/TV 2016

In January a $1 million dollar lawsuit was filed alleging they injured a woman’s wrists and arms, during an arrest.