City, township settle $150K lawsuit

SPRINGFIELD, Mich. (WOOD) - The City of Springfield and Emmett Township have agreed to pay a Calhoun County man a combined $150,000 to settle a federal lawsuit.

Jeffery Cary claimed in his suit that police came to his Emmett Township home in July 2011 to interview or arrest his son on a traffic accident complaint. Cary claimed his son was placed in handcuffs and forced to the ground after a confrontation with one of the officers.

He objected to the takedown and was told to go back inside his home, which he says he did. Cary claimed officers then entered his home, tackled him and punched him in the face several times. He was arrested for resisting/obstructing police.

Cary then sued, claiming a number of his constitutional rights were violated by the officers.

In police reports obtained by 24 Hour News 8, officers say Cary was uncooperative and assaulted an officer while they tried to detain him. The reports say he fought with officers while they tried to place him under arrest, leading to his injuries.

Springfield police say none of their officers were disciplined for their actions in the July 2011 incident.  

Springfield paid $112,500 to Cary and the township paid $37,500.

The City and Township do not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to pay to the settlement to bring the lawsuit to an end.