Spencer
Michael Amiott was fired from the Euclid Police Department this year after multiple accusations of excessive force piled up on his personnel file. In August, he was seen on video beating a black man in the street during an apparent traffic stop.

Now, a Dec. 5, 2016, incident has come to light via a lawsuit against Amiott and the Euclid Police Department. If this is all starting to sound like a familiar refrain, you’re not wrong.

Euclid resident Emirius Spencer argues that Amiott kicked him in the face during an arrest for possession of marijuana.

Spencer was carrying less than a gram of bud when officers encountered him in the hallway of Richmond Hills Apartments, where he lives. Two officers approached and began questioning him. Amiott reached into Spencer’s pocket and pulled out the small amount of marijuana.

It’s unclear how or why the officers were in the hallway at Richmond Hills.

According to the lawsuit: “Amiott immediately grabbed Spencer arm and began twisting it. Officer Amiott’s response was sudden and unnecessarily aggressive. Spencer was pushed against the hallway wall and grabbed by both Officers Amiott and [Shane] Rivera. Spencer tried to be calm and asked the Officers why they were doing this, but he was ignored. Rather, Officer Amiott was shouting at Spencer to ‘Stop Resisting!’ despite the fact that Spencer was being compliant. Amiott then kneed Spencer in the groin and forcefully pushed Spencer to the ground.”

As the officer restrained Spencer on the ground, Amiott kicked him in the face. Both officers then tased him. Amiott’s partner, Shane Rivera, is also a named defendant.

Amiott Credit: Scene Archives
Read the full lawsuit below.

“Spencer was eventually taken to Euclid Hospital. The medical staff at Euclid Hospital recommended Spencer be transferred to MetroHealth Hospital because MetroHealth has trauma unit and Spencer injuries were sufficiently severe,” according to the lawsuit. “Later, Amiott and Rivera attempted to justify their use of force by alleging Spencer was violently uncontrollable Spencer, and 155 lbs., has no criminal felony record nor does he have any history of violence. Amiott, and 218 lbs., has history of misconduct, dishonesty and using excessive force.”

Spencer seeks at least $25,000 in compensatory and consequential damages, along with punitive damages.

Spencer v. City of Euclid by sandyatscene on Scribd

This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2017.

Eric Sandy is an award-winning Cleveland-based journalist. For a while, he was the managing editor of Scene. He now contributes jam band features every now and then.

3 replies on “Lawsuit Accuses Fired Euclid Police Officer of Another Violent Arrest”

  1. If anyone knows how to get a hold of the attorneys of these victims- my family was assaulted unprovoked and beaten to the point of hospitalization around 10 years ago. Our lawsuit was shut down, but either l or a family member canndefinitely testify to their unprovoked violence, gang style beatings, conspiracy and everything that goes around with it. I have said for a long time that there needs to be a class action lawsuit filed against them.

  2. Been waiting for this to happen, no offense. My family was severely beaten to the point of hospitalization after Euclid police officers responded to the wrong address around 10 years ago and that single event played a huge part on the outcomes of our lives. Struggling with PTSD has been no picnic for any of my family members. The Attorney for this man is welcome to get in touch with me. I would love to expose what has happened to me and my family and who was to blame. . We were told that nobody would ever listen to our story. Thank God people are hearing now.

  3. I truly suspect that this man was actually combative and needed his ass beat. He may not have felony convictions, but he has plenty of misdemeanors.

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