Two Stockton police officers fired for excessive use of force

Two Stockton police officers were fired Tuesday for using excessive force on a teenager in December.

The department has “separated” with Officers Michael Stiles and Omar Villapudua after Lincoln High School senior Devin Carter, 17, sustained injuries Dec. 30 following a short vehicle pursuit.

Officers repeated “stop resisting” as they beat Carter and he covered his head while in a fetal position, John Burris, an Oakland-based civil rights attorney whose past clients include Rodney King, said at a news conference in January. Burris agreed to represent Carter in a lawsuit against the city over the interaction.

Four officers were placed on administrative leave following the interaction and an internal investigation was initiated, Stockton police reported. The investigation found Stiles and Villapudua “were well outside the scope of both our policy and training,” Stockton police Chief Eric Jones said in a statement.

“Our department has policies that state we should make attempts to avoid striking an arrestee around the head and neck area when possible,” Jones said.

Carter’s father, George Carter of Stockton, said the officers stomped on his son’s face and back.

Jones confirmed Monday that both hands and feet were used on Carter by officers during the interaction.

“Given this set of circumstances, I cannot and will not condone any excessive force. Additionally, any use of profanity is considered unwarranted and not professional,” Jones said.

Three other officers are also being disciplined in connection with the interaction and the case has been turned over to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review, Jones said.