Opinion ID: 2166154
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Statute of limitations on excessive force claim

Text: In the context of an arrest, an officer is liable for excessive force in two circumstances: (1) he or she has reasonable grounds for making the arrest but used more force than was necessary; and (2) he or she only used necessary force in effecting the arrest but there were, in fact, no reasonable grounds for the arrest. See Lexington-Fayette Urban Co. Gov't, 555 S.W.2d at 618-19. Similar to an assault and battery claim, the cause of action accrues at the time of injury. See KRS 413.140(1)(a). In this case, the time of injury was Dunn's arrest on November 7, 1999. Thus, his claim of excessive force filed more than one year after the arrest was not timely. Dunn does not make any specific argument relative to his excessive force claim. To the extent he argues that Shamaeizadeh and Heck are applicable to this claim as well, Wallace instructs that they are not. The proper course in this case would be to file the civil lawsuit, which the trial court would likely hold in abeyance pending the resolution of any criminal charges.