OFFICER SUED IN PORTILLO’S ALTERCATION

A man has filed an excessive- force suit against the off- duty Chicago Police officer who beat him while working security at the River North Portillo’s restaurant, leading authorities to strip the officer of police powers.

After the tussle, Khaled Shaar conspired with four responding officers and the manager of the restaurant at 100 W. Ontario to cover up the beating of Terrence Clarke after midnight on June 16, 2015, the 61- yearold Canadian alleges in the suit filed Wednesday in Cook County circuit court.

Shaar has been relieved of police powers pending the outcome of an investigation by the Independent Police Review Authority, authorities said. He is collecting his $ 87,384 salary, according to city payroll data.

Clarke was eating with his wife and son near closing time, the suit said. Other customers were still eating, so they ignored Shaar when he told them to leave, according to the suit, but the security worker returned and grabbed food from Clarke’s hand before using handcuffs as makeshift brass knuckles to punch Clarke. According to the suit, video by other patrons tell a different story from police reports, which claimed Clarke had thrown a cup of cheese and hit Shaar with a chair.

Clarke was treated at a hospital and hit with a felony charge of aggravated battery against an officer. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, records show. A spokesman for the city’s law department declined comment.