Motion for restraining order filed against Metro

Jace Radke

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 | 9:39 a.m.

The attorney representing a woman who filed a federal lawsuit against Metro Police over alleged misconduct by a traffic officer has made a motion for a restraining order against police.

Cal Potter filed the motion in federal court Monday. He said his client, Lisa Coatney, was contacted earlier this month by internal affairs investigators and that she was the target of veiled threats.

Potter said Coatney believed her job as a clerk with the Clark County District Attorney's Office was threatened during a phone conversation with internal affairs Lt. Kathy O'Conner in early May. He said police should have called him and not Coatney because of the suit and the fact she is represented by an attorney.

"It's very, very unique that we had to file a motion like this (against Metro Police)," Potter said. "We've looked at it on a couple of occasions, but it's the first time we've ever filed one against the police."

Gary Peck, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said, "Is this really the image that Metro wants to present? That they are bullies (who are) willing to do anything to cover themselves when faced with a lawsuit over abusive behavior by an officer? It would certainly be a sad day for Southern Nevada if that's the case."

Metro Police spokesman Sgt. Chris Darcy said he could not comment on pending lawsuits.

Coatney's complaint is one of five pending internal investigations against Officer Glenn Dillard, 29. A misconduct complaint against Dillard involving the alleged mistreatment of a woman during a September traffic stop has been sustained.

Coatney's complaint alleges that she was assaulted by Dillard and arrested in 1999. According to Coatney's lawsuit, Dillard came to her home regarding an alleged domestic disturbance. She told him she was not injured and, in lieu of a warrant, refused to allow him to enter her home.

Dillard, according to the lawsuit, entered the home, arrested her and "repeatedly slammed the plaintiff against the squad car."

Coatney's complaint with Metro's internal affairs bureau was not sustained at the time, but the case was reopened -- Coatney, in an e-mail to internal affairs, requested that the case be reopened because of the other complaints against Dillard.

Peck said he has heard of other examples of internal affairs investigators circumventing attorneys. He said the ACLU is prepared to file an amicus brief in support of Potter's motion.

"At best this is unprofessional, and at worst it is unethical," Peck said. "In these kinds of circumstances, the proper thing to do is contact the attorney. It's very unlikely these (internal affairs) officers are acting on their own, and it's hard to believe that this isn't coming from the top echelons of the department."