Woman sues Metro Police, claiming false imprisonment

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000 | 11:44 a.m.

A Las Vegas woman arrested by Metro Police two years ago is suing the department and two of its officers for assault and false imprisonment.

According to the lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Regina Wilson-Scercy approached Officers Mark Perry and Todd Richter while they were arresting an assault suspect and ended up being arrested herself.

Handcuffs were incorrectly placed on Wilson-Scercy, cutting off her blood flow, the lawsuit alleges. When she complained, the officers "chose to swear at her, berate her and generally mock her."

A third officer eventually discovered that the handcuffs had been placed on Wilson-Scercy backwards, but the keys could not be found and the handcuffs had to be cut off, the lawsuit states.

Wilson-Scercy was taken to the hospital and she left with one arm in a sling and the other in a cast, the lawsuit states. She has since had five surgeries on her wrists as a result of the incident and faces future surgeries.

Metro Police Lt. Marc Joseph declined to comment, citing a departmental policy against speaking about pending litigation.

Wilson-Scercy is suing on the grounds of negligence, emotional distress, assault and battery, negligent hiring and training practices, false imprisonment and false arrest.

She is seeking unspecified damages.