Getty Images/iStockphotoA lawsuit filed this week in Hamilton County Circuit Court alleges that three Chattanooga police officers illegally went onto a man’s property and used a stun gun on him without provocation, warning or an arrest warrant.
Officers Derek Roncin, Cornelius Gaines and John Watkins were named in the lawsuit filed by local attorney Robin Flores on behalf of Steven James Hacker, 25.
Flores said Wednesday that his client “hopes and has faith that this new chief may be able to change some things out there at [Chattanooga Police Department].”
On Tuesday, the Chattanooga City Council approved the hiring of new Police Chief Fred Fletcher, who comes to the Scenic City from Austin, Texas.
During the Tuesday meeting, City Councilman Moses Freeman told the chief, “We are depending on you. There may need to be a culture shift to create a community relationship with the police department and the kind of trust that we need. We know we want you to solve all the crime as it occurs.”