Taunton Police Officer Accused Of Excessive Force [Video]

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against a Taunton police officer.

Joseph O’Brien, 41 of Taunton, filed the suit alleging that Officer Robert Kramer attacked him in the station’s booking room on June 1, 2014.

O’Brien's attorney, David Milton of the Law Offices of Howard Friedman P.C., issued a news release claiming that Kramer " yanked O’Brien’s arm around his neck, pushed him into a counter, and later pulled him to the ground. With help from two other officers, Kramer gave O’Brien several knee strikes to his head, causing a concussion. "

“Officer Kramer was out of control,” O’Brien said in the news release, “He attacked me even though I was cooperating with his instructions. I’m not his first victim but I hope I’m his last.”

Police chief Ed Walsh, the City of Taunton, and two other officers, identifed as Ralph Schlageter and Jeffrey Martin, are also named in the lawsuit.

Attorney Milton told WBSM News this is not the first time Officer Kramer has been accused of excessive force, and that he previously represented another individual, Celinda Kaye, who sued Kramer with the City of Taunton paying $60,000 to settle her claim in 2009.

"His violent tendencies and history are well known, they're really putting the people of Taunton in danger by allowing this man to continue as a police officer," said Milton.

Milton says that after two independent investigators determined that Kramer used excessive force in the incident chief walsh sought a third opinion and didn't take action against the officer.

"The Chief then hired a third investigator and that investigator agreed with the chief that force was justified," said Milton "and so as a result of the alleged 'conflict among the experts', as the chief put it, he did not discipline Kramer."

Milton says the lawsuit is seeking money damages for violations of O’Brien’s federal and state civil rights.

However, Milton says he also hopes the lawsuit sends a message.

"In bringing the lawsuit we hope also to send a message that something needs to be done about Kramer and that Chief Walsh has let this go on for far too long," said Milton.

We have reached out to the department and Chief Walsh for comment but haven't heard back.

Mayor Thomas Hoye's office said the mayor had no comment.