Millcreek Man Files Suit Against UPD Officer, Claiming Excessive Force

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Millcreek man filed a federal lawsuit against a Unified Police officer over an arrest that happened Sunday.

According to the lawsuit, Chad Lockwood said he was riding his bicycle along Evergreen Avenue around 10:45 Sunday morning. As he approached the intersection of 2300 East and Evergreen Avenue, he said it appeared the officer, Christopher Schroeder, was waiting for him to cross and appeared to wave him on. Lockwood said he waved back at Schroeder and rode across the intersection. Lockwood said he rode another 200 feet when Schroeder’s vehicle hit him. He said he was thrown to the ground and pinned beneath his bicycle. He said Schroeder did not use his siren, horn, or overhead lights as he approached the bicycle. Once on the ground, Lockwood said Schroeder “pounced” on him, demanding he show his hands, but he said his hands were pinned under the bicycle. He said Schroeder then kicked him, saying he disobeyed orders to get up. Lockwood said Schroeder then pulled him to his feet, aggravating a prior wrist injury.

Lockwood said he has limited movement in one of his hands. He said he believed it was possible Schroeder thought he was flashing an obscene gesture when he waved at him. He said he said “thank you” to Schroeder as he passed and though Schroeder might have misinterpreted what he said.

Lockwood’s attorney, Robert Sykes, said Lockwood’s rights were violated.

“You have to have a reason to use force. Our position here is that the use of force at all in this case was excessive because there was no need to use force,” Sykes said.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said there is another version of the events.

“That is not what the officer has said happened. That is not what the backup officers have said. I’m going to back them 100% unless somebody has evidence to tell me any different,” Rivera said.

According to Schroeder’s report, he said he was driving along 2300 East and said Lockwood ran the red light on his bicycle and he had to abruptly stop his cruiser to avoid hitting him. He said he yelled at Lockwood to pull over and he said Lockwood said an expletive back at him.  Schroeder said he activated his police lights and turned to follow Lockwood along Evergreen. He said he rode up beside him, yelling at him to stop and he said Lockwood again said an expletive toward him and began to pedal faster.

Schroeder said he then pulled his cruiser about 10 feet ahead and in front of Lockwood’s bicycle. He said Lockwood stopped, and yelled at him that he had done nothing wrong.  He said Lockwood tried to ride his bicycle around the cruiser, but hit the curb and fell. That’s when Schroeder says he detained Lockwood.

“UFA was called to the location, UFA CS# 19D015208, and during their assessment of him Chad pretended to have a seizure, as per UFA pointing out that Chad was still coherent and claiming he was having a seizure. Chad however was transported to hospital due to a possible sprained wrist,” Schroeder wrote.

Rivera said she was referring the case to her office’s internal affairs unit. She said no one had contacted her office about the incident before the lawsuit was announced.

“If the officer did something that he was not supposed to do, or that was out of line, we’ll hold him accountable, but in this case, by reading the report, I’m standing by my officer and the fact that they didn’t even bother to come and tell us there was an issue, I question that,” Rivera said.

Sykes said the lawsuit was filed Friday and would likely be served to Schroeder early next week.