Three people have filed formal complaints against Madison police regarding police intervention and alleged excessive force during the arrests of four patrons at the Brink Lounge Feb. 14.
After a fight involving several individuals broke out, the Brink Lounge owner contacted police officials, who then reported to the scene. The call drew more than a dozen officers.
Robert Franklin, a local hip-hop artist and one of the arrested patrons, and Shay Newman, a local disc jockey who attended the event, both confirmed having filed complaints.
According to a 77 Square interview, Newman agreed that the police had used excessive force and unnecessary pepper spray during the arrests.
The Feb. 14 incident led to a physical confrontation between one officer and Michaela Machicote, 22, resulting in a scratch on the officer's face and Machicote suffering swollen lips. Machicote was taken to a local hospital and treated for a facial injury.
Dexter Patterson, a fellow hip-hop artist, said police pepper-sprayed, assaulted and handcuffed Franklin, who he said had been pleading with officers to stop ""roughing up"" a woman who was being arrested.
Newman described the difficulty he had with filing a complaint. He finally went downtown to file the complaint after getting passed around by phone.
""I don't think the police are taking it seriously,"" Newman said.
According to 77 Square, an internal investigation, which has been prompted by these complaints, will not begin until all four of the arrested individuals have gone through the court system.
""It was a chaotic situation, and [police officials] were trying to take a combative person into custody,"" MPD Lt. Kristin Roman said in an interview with 77 Square.
Police have officially reported arresting four people because they refused to leave the club after management had closed. Police declined to comment further until after the four arrested patrons have attended their court hearings.
