Casper Police Face New Lawsuit Alleging Violation of Civil Rights After Forceful Home Entry and Arrest

Casper, WY — Weeks after a judgment against a Casper police officer for violating a woman’s rights in 2020, another lawsuit has surfaced, claiming that two officers from the same department breached the civil rights of a local man during an incident in 2022. According to the federal lawsuit, the altercation, which occurred in the early hours of March 5, 2022, was captured on body camera footage and involved officers Jon Ramsay and Craig Burns.

The complaint alleges that after receiving calls about Brenton Eckerson’s disruptive behavior, which included damaging a neighbor’s property, Officers Ramsay and Burns confronted the visibly intoxicated 39-year-old Eckerson in his yard. The situation quickly escalated when Eckerson, despite being on his own property, refused to remove his hands from his pockets, responding to commands with vulgar remarks. Officer Ramsay, who had drawn his weapon, continued to demand compliance as snow fell around them.

As the confrontation intensified, Eckerson retreated into his home, followed by Ramsay and eventually Burns. Inside, the officers are accused of forcefully subduing Eckerson, resulting in a torn ACL and injuries to his face. The lawsuit details that during the altercation, Eckerson was pushed against a banister, leading to its breakage, and was subsequently struck in the face and body. In the filmed altercation, Eckerson’s bloodied appearance and heated exchanges with the officers were stark; at one point, Eckerson accused the officers of beating him, to which Ramsay retorted that the fault was his.

In the aftermath, Eckerson’s father expressed distress over his son’s drinking issues but was critical of the officers’ actions within the home. The lawsuit also highlights concerns regarding police conduct and the city’s accountability, citing inadequate training and failure to properly address and rectify unconstitutional behavior by its officers.

This lawsuit against both officers and the City of Casper argues that the officers’ entry into Eckerson’s home without a warrant and their subsequent use of force violated the First and Fourth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The city is accused of tolerating such behavior by failing to provide sufficient training and not disciplining officers after misconduct. These practices, the lawsuit argues, could lead to further violations of constitutional rights.

The complaint draws attention to broader issues within the Casper Police Department, referring to testimony by a senior officer who outlined potential training deficiencies in adhering to constitutional rights during police responses.

Legal responses from the officers and the city are anticipated in the upcoming weeks. As this case adds to ongoing concerns about policing practices in Casper, it also reflects a national dialogue on law enforcement conduct and the urgent need for systemic reform.

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