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Bucks Guard Sterling Brown Sues Milwaukee Police Over Taser Incident

Harry How/Getty Images
Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot in front of Brook Lopez #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on March 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown is accusing Milwaukee police officers of discriminating against him because he is black when they used a stun gun last winter during his arrest for a parking violation.

A lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday says officers could have simply issued a citation instead of "unlawfully discriminating against Mr. Brown on the basis of his race."  

Officers detained Brown at about 2 a.m. on Jan. 26 outside a Walgreens store on Milwaukee's south side.  He was apparently double parked in a disabled spot.

According to reports, officers swarmed Brown and used a stun gun on him because he didn't immediately remove his hands from his pockets, as ordered. Brown was not charged following his arrest. 

The lawsuit accuses police of unlawful arrest and using excessive force.  It names the City of Milwaukee and its police department as defendants.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett issued a statement Tuesday. He said, "I'm hopeful this incident will be a turning point and allow us to take those actions necessary to improve police-community relations." 

Marti was a reporter with WUWM from 1999 to 2021.
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