In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday, Hill claims the June 12 encounter didn't end there. It says DeCoatsworth and his unnamed partner later pulled Hill over and searched him and his car without a warrant, violating several constitutional rights.
The encounter pits an Ivy League professor against a celebrated Philadelphia officer.
The lawsuit was filed against the City of Philadelphia, DeCoatsworth, his partner, and the sergeant and captain of the 35th District, in which the stop occurred.
Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore declined to comment because of the pending litigation.
John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said of DeCoatsworth Thursday night, "I've sat with him in the emergency room while they put his face together. He's a good cop. And once this lawsuit plays out, it will show that he did his job, like he does every day. He's a warrior."
The lawsuit says that after Hill's friend returned home, Hill drove down the block. DeCoatsworth then pulled Hill's car over and refused to tell him why he was stopping him, according to the filing.
Hill claims DeCoatsworth searched his pockets without a warrant, then pulled him out of the car by his left arm.
DeCoatsworth pushed Hill into his car, according to the lawsuit, and told him not to move or "he was going to jail." DeCoatsworth then pressed his left fist into Hill's back, causing him pain, the suit alleges. DeCoatsworth asked Hill whether he could afford the BMW and then went through Hill's checkbook, the suit alleges. Hill claims DeCoatsworth then questioned him about his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania while the other officer searched his car.
During the stop, according to the suit, that officer told Hill he was being stopped for "illegal discharge of a passenger and blocking the street."
