Police officer ‘breaks arm’ of dementia patient after she forgets to pay for her groceries

A police officer in Colorado has been placed on administrative leave pending investigations for breaking the arm of a 73-year-old dementia patient who had forgotten to pay for items worth $14 (£10) and was walking away from a Walmart store.

The incident took place in June 2020 when Karen Garner was pushed to the ground and handcuffed by an officer of the Loveland police department (LPD). She has now filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Loveland and police officers.

“LPD takes very seriously the allegations concerning the arrest of resident Karen Garner, and shares with the community the concerns about video images that became public on Wednesday,” said the department in a statement on Thursday.

While the officer who made the arrest has been placed on administrative leave, two other officers mentioned in the lawsuit - a backup officer and a supervisory sergeant – have been reassigned to administrative duties, the LPD said.