HUNTINGTON BEACH : Officers Cleared in Excessive Force Suit

A retired Los Angeles police officer who accused Huntington Beach police of using excessive force when his arm was broken as officers arrested him has lost his federal civil rights suit.

Following a five-day trial in federal court in Los Angeles, a jury ruled for the city police and against the alleged victim, Floyd McGinnis.

McGinnis was arrested on Dec. 13, 1988, following a dispute in a parking lot at Warner Avenue and Golden West Street, where he was accused of causing a disturbance. During the arrest, his left arm was broken.

McGinnis’ suit charged that his civil rights had been violated. Originally, it named both the city and the three arresting officers, Jack Rand, Greg Lawrence and Val Birkett, as defendants.

During the trial, the judge dismissed the city as a co-defendant. Both the Huntington Beach city attorney’s office and a private law firm, Moore & Rutter of Long Beach, represented the police officers in the case.

The case went to trial last week, and the jury rendered its verdict on Monday.