Chesterfield County, VA: Virginia law firm, Phillip S. Georges, PLLC, announces in a statement that police failed to comply with department policy when his client, Derrick Williams, was bit by a Chesterfield Police canine. The incident occurred in October 2022 in the apartment where Williams was living, which was being leased by his uncle.

ATTORNEY PHILLIP S. GEORGES FILES LAWSUIT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION

Williams’ attorney Phillip Georges has filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against the officer who released the canine, Gordon Painter, citing a civil rights violation. “There are so many problems with how the police handled themselves in this case,” Georges said. “Excessive force was used when no crime was ever committed.”

AN EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE

Attorney Phillip Georges further argues that police didn’t comply with department policy that characterizes physical canine contact as “a significant use of force” and defines the situations in which the use of this force is appropriate. Additionally, Attorney Phil Georges argues that police never vetted the information from Williams’ ex-girlfriend, who had called 911 to report an unknown person in the home when she saw Williams asleep in his bed.

“There is no right or authority for that officer to have released the canine at all. He could have it on a leash to help him search, but he must maintain control of that animal at all times,” Georges said.

After the incident, police on the scene apologized to Williams, who was never charged with a crime. Williams’ civil rights lawsuit is currently pending.

ABOUT THE WOLF OF JUSTICE™ AT PHILLIP S. GEORGES, PLLC

Phillip S. Georges PLLC, owned by Attorney Phillip S. Georges, is home to the Wolf of Justice™—a trial law firm dedicated to helping those in Virginia and across the nation who are seeking justice after their civil rights have been violated. Click here to learn more.

For more information about this lawsuit, read the full article by Tyler Layne on the CBS 6 website.