Multiple Superior Police Department officers and the city were hit with a federal civil rights lawsuit related to a February tasing incident.
According to court documents, 22 year old Ian Cuypers filed the legal claims against the officers for using excessive force and failure to intervene. The incident occurred on February 28, 2024, when Cuypers accidentally made a wrong turn and drove the wrong way down a one-way street. Cuypers was driving for DoorDash at the time.
He was immediately pulled over following the wrong turn, and the officer who stopped him then called for backup. When the backup arrived, three officers drew their firearms and pointed them at the vehicle. They commanded Cuypers to exit the vehicle and he complied, but says he became confused when the officers started shouting more commands at him.
According to the complaint, Cuypers asked the officers to explain what was going on. One officer allegedly threatened to tase him if he did not comply. The officer then fired the taser at Cuypers twice, hitting him in the back and legs before he was handcuffed.
According to a Northern News Now report, Cuypers’ attorneys said he was unarmed, made no threatening movements, and did not say anything threatening. He was simply trying to comply with the officers’ orders as best he could during a frightening situation.
Cuypers was cited for driving the wrong way down a one-way street and resisting or obstructing a police officer. A jury acquitted him of the resisting or obstructing a police officer charges on July 16th. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages against the City of Superior.
