INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has identified and released the records of the four policemen named in an excessive force lawsuit filed by two women arrested during the downtown protests on May 31.
Here are their names and additional information from their personnel records:
- Sergeant David Kinsey, 20-year veteran, received Medal of Bravery and various Letters of Commendation, one-day suspension in 2004 for violation of department rules, named sergeant in 2013.
- Officer Conrad Simpson, 18-year veteran, six Certificates of Commendation, no disciplinary action.
- Officer Johnathan Horlock, five-year veteran, Medal of Bravery, no disciplinary action.
- Officer Nathanial Schauwecker, eight-year veteran, no disciplinary action.
The excessive force lawsuit was filed against the policemen who arrested Ivore Westfield and Rachel Harding on May 31.
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The lawsuit alleges the women didn’t know each other before the night they were arrested. As the night’s 8 p.m. curfew approached, Westfield realized her ride home wouldn’t be available because traffic was blocked.
The two women met, and Harding agreed to drive Westfield home.
About 45 minutes after the curfew, Harding and Westfield were walking to the car when “multiple officers of IMPD approached them in an aggressive manner,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states both women were “passive and cooperative” when they were arrested, but the officers became aggressive. When Westfield pulled away in pain, the IMPD sergeant gave the command “hit her,” the lawsuit states. Another officer fired pepper ball rounds at Westfield, breaking the skin and causing welts, according to the lawsuit.
After Westfield was arrested, Harding was pushed to the ground by the IMPD officers, the lawsuit states.
IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said an internal investigation was launched into the incident. Sergeant Kinsey and Officer Conrad remain on full active duty, while officers Harlock and Schauwecker are on administrative duty, according to an IMPD public information officer.
Police recommended charging Harding with violating the executive order, as a Class B misdemeanor. Police recommended charging Westfield with battery against a public safety official, as a Level 6 felony, violating the executive order as a Class B misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement as a Class A misdemeanor.
The Marion County Prosecutor declined to file charges against Harding and Westfield.
The women are seeking actual and compensatory damages, punitive damages in an amount sufficient to deter defendants from again engaging in the conduct, reasonable attorney’s fees, litigation costs and expenses and all other appropriate relief.
