1-9-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Bellingham man is suing the city, accusing it of allowing officers to use excessive force.
Joshua Smith says he was assaulted while being compliant with Brooks Laughlin, a former officer with the BPD who is now in prison.
Body cam footage of the incident shows former officer Brooks Laughlin approach Joshua Smith who was kneeling in front of his crying girlfriend after a domestic call from the young woman’s parents.
Video shows Smith ask if he can film and he’s seen reaching into his pocket before turning toward his car, refusing Laughlin’s commands, at which point he is handcuffed after a struggle.
Police Chief David Doll says “Anytime our Officers use force, as a response to a threat, that entire incident is reviewed at multiple levels to ensure that the Officers have complied with agency policy and laws governing use of force . . . the entire incident that is the subject of this lawsuit was reviewed at that time, and the Officers involved were found to be in compliance.”
Laughlin was convicted last year on multiple counts of domestic violence against his then-wife.
VIDEO WARNING: Strong language.