Woman Sues City Of Superior, Police Officers Over Alleged Excessive Force

A Superior woman is suing a police officer who she claims used excessive force while arresting her in an incident from last year.

Superior Police Officer George Gothner entered into a struggle with Natasha Lancour while placing her under arrest on the evening of Jan. 5, 2014. Dashcam footage shows Gothner striking Lancour in the face. The incident sparked a year-long series of reviews by the state and local law enforcement that found Gothner did not use excessive force in the incident

Lancour’s attorney Rick Gondik said that Lancour is now suing Gothner, two other officers and the city to see justice done.

“We’re asserting that the training is inadequate, and the hiring … there should be a better vetting process for people working for the Police Department,” said Gondik.

On hiring, Superior police candidates must go through written tests, interviews, background checks, drug, physical and psychological screenings.

Superior Police Chief Nick Alexander said they’re in compliance with state standards.

“We obviously typically strive to be above what the state’s minimum requirements are and offer additional training opportunities,” said Alexander.

He said Superior police officers are trained on use of force at least once a year.

A spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Justice says officers must complete 24 hours of recertification training each year, but that doesn’t require training on use of force. She also said all officers are trained on use of force in the academy.

The city attorney declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Watch the dashcam footage of the incident here.