San Ramon Police Say Use Of Force Justified In Uber Driver Case

SAN RAMON, CA — San Ramon police say they were justified in letting a dog maul an Uber driver in 2020.

In January, Ali Badr, an Oakland resident who drives for Uber and Lyft and delivers food with DoorDash, filed a federal lawsuit against the city for alleged excessive force and violation of civil rights.

According to a San Francisco Chronicle report, Badr rented a Toyota Camry through CarMommy, a startup catering to gig workers, and fell behind on payments. Badr told The Chronicle that he told the company he would pay them shortly, something he had done in the past, but the company still reported the car as stolen. Badr is also suing CarMommy.

In December 2020, Badr’s plate triggered a license plate reader as he filled up for gas in San Ramon, triggering officers in half a dozen police cars with guns drawn and barking dogs. Dashboard and body-camera videos obtained by The Chronicle show a police dog attacking an unresisting Badr for more than a minute while he wails in pain. He was rushed to the hospital, and required three surgeries.

Two police use-of-force experts, including former Boston police Lt. Tom Nolan, called the SRPD’s response a “hyper-exaggerated and hysterical response.” After the lawsuit and a Chronicle report, the San Ramon City Council ordered another review.

The San Ramon Police Department said that its canines may be used if the suspect “poses an imminent threat” and if the suspect is “physically resisting or threatening to resist arrest,” or if the suspect is believed to be concealed in an area where entry by other than the canine would pose a threat to the safety of officers or the public."

An investigation released Friday by the SRPD says that Badr “repeatedly placed his hands in an area where he could access and a weapon and had not been searched,” and “was not explicitly complying with [an officer’s] clear orders, and he appeared to be accessing the vehicle or attempting to flee.”

Dashboard footage does not show Badr reaching into the back of his car. “I listen to everything they said and was compliant for all they told me,” he told The Chronicle. “All I can say is you can watch the video and see for yourself.”

— Read the full Chronicle article to watch the footage.