CONCORD -- A former homeowners association president filed a federal lawsuit this month alleging police officers went too far in responding to a report of domestic violence at his home.

The lawsuit, filed Aug. 17 in Oakland, alleges police burst into Rodger Box's home through a partially open door on Aug. 21, 2010 after he said "no thanks" to a police request to "step outside, please."

Box, a former president of the Homeowners Association of Parkwood, said he was beaten, shocked multiple times by Tasers and then arrested, according to the suit.

Officers were responding to a 911 call from a man who said he saw Box hit his wife 10 times in the face.

The suit says it was the wife who was hitting Box and calls into question the credibility of the witness, who Box claims is a known drug dealer.

Senior Assistant City Attorney Margaret Kotzebue said Box's claims are without merit. Kotzebue said any force used by officers was "justified and appropriate," and that the actions were supported by a jury which convicted Box of obstructing police.

The suit is the third of its kind against Concord police since December 2011. It names the city of Concord, officers Paul Miovas, Kevin Mansurian, Michele Ligouri, Krista Sansen and David Savage, Sgt. Jeffrey Krieger, police IT administrator Joe Surges and then-police Chief David Livingston, who is now the Contra Costa County sheriff.

The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and


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punitive damages and permanent injunctions to require the city adopt new policies related to hiring and supervision of police officers and establish a civilian oversight board to investigate allegations of misconduct.

David DeBolt covers Concord and Clayton. Contact him at 925-943-8048. Follow him at Twitter.com/daviddebolt.