The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court, faults police and city leaders for failing to supervise and discipline officers who routinely subject residents to "excessive, unnecessary and unlawful force and verbal abuse." Craig Straw, chief deputy city solicitor of the civil-rights unit, said the city doesn't comment on pending lawsuits.
The suit stems from an incident in North Philly. Williams said he was driving home about 6 p.m. when he saw officers stop a gray Volvo on York Street near 16th, driven by John Cornish, of Nicetown, looked like a car involved in a drug buy a few blocks away, according to police.
Williams said he watched as Officer Thomas Schaffling frisked Cornish, who appeared elderly and frail, then placed his money on the Volvo's hood, where it began to blow away. When Cornish tried to grab his money, Schaffling shoved him against the Volvo and cuffed him, Cornish said.
Meanwhile, Schaffling's partner, Officer Donna Stewart, detained Carl Cutler, who was in the Volvo's passenger seat.
Cornish complained that the cuffs were too tight and Schaffling said something like, " 'Shut the f--- up or I'll f--- you up and take you to the hospital,' " Cornish said.
Williams, who was stopped about three-car lengths back, said he heard the word "hospital" and emerged from his car.
By then, Officer Timothy Devlin and Sgt. Kevin Bernard had arrived on the scene. Devlin twice ordered Williams, "Get back in the f---ing car!" though Williams identified himself as a state legislator, according to the lawsuit.
Devlin handcuffed Williams, who asked to speak with his supervisor. Bernard also used profanity, pushed Williams into the back seat of the police cruiser and told him he was under arrest for "disorderly conduct," Williams said.
Bernard later released Williams and no charges were filed.
Police found no drugs in the Volvo or on Cornish and Cutler, both in their 60s, and the officers released them. The lawsuit - brought by Williams, Cornish and Cutler - names all four officers as defendants. The suit seeks unspecified damages.
Williams, 53, who suffers from diabetes, said he has not regained full use of his left thumb. He said he filed a lawsuit because "something needs to happen when officers violate people's rights."
"It's a shame that these cops make a bad name for the good cops," said Williams, who worked as a Temple University cop and became a legislator in 2001.
