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RR: March 2002 #14
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Jared Lodge Report of my experiences at Critical Mass ride March 29, 2002

Approximately 50-60 cyclists took part in the Critical Mass ride on March 29, 2002. The group set out from Loring Park at 5:30 pm, as we do every month. Immediately upon the commencement of our ride, several police cars blocked the street in front of us. Some of these cars quickly drove into the group of riders, forcing us against the curb. We reentered Loring Park, followed by at least two police cars. I saw that police cars were stationed at nearly every exit from the park. The group of riders rode across a bridge in the park and we exited onto the street once again. After we began riding, I saw police officers grab bicycles from riders. A small number of cyclists stopped at this scene, presumably to inquire as to why the bicycles were taken and to assist the cyclists. The larger group of cyclists, myself included, continued to ride. At one point, a rider yelled "left on 3rd." The group turned onto 3rd Ave. By this point the group had ridden through many sets of lights; I passed through every intersection while the light directing our direction of traffic was green. The only red lights that I saw were at intersections at which the group was stopped. I did not ride through any red lights.

On 3rd Ave., the group was riding two-abreast in the right lane of traffic, in accordance with Minneapolis bicycle laws. I was riding towards the front of the group in the outer column of riders, although still within the right lane. As we approached what I believe was 6th St., a police car pulled up very quickly alongside of the group. I looked back to see an officer open the door of the car and come running at me with his arms extended forward. Almost immediately, the officer threw me forward over the handlebars of my moving bicycle. At this point, while I was lying facedown on the pavement next to my bicycle, the officer jumped on top of me. He seized me by the back the back of my head, lifted my head, and then smashed my face into the pavement. He then twisted my right arm behind me and handcuffed me. I felt sharp pain in my right arm, and was yelling for help and for the officer to stop twisting my arm. My face was in great pain, and I could feel blood running down from the bridge of my nose. The officer then lifted me from the ground and led me to the police car. He pushed me facedown against the trunk of the car and went through the contents of my pockets and backpack. The officer removed my sweatshirt from my backpack and placed it in the front seat of the car, the front door of which was open. At this point, I looked at the officer's badge and saw that his last name was Suchta and his badge number was 6995. Both his name and his badge number were confirmed upon viewing the police incident report five days later.

Officer Suchta then opened the rear door of the police car and put me in the back seat. After approximately five minutes, Officer Suchta entered the car and began to drive. After driving for several blocks, he pulled over and made a call on his radio. He then asked if I needed to go to the hospital. I replied that I did need to go to the hospital, at which point Officer Suchta resumed driving.

We arrived at Hennepin County Medical Center and Officer Suchta parked the police car in front of the emergency room. We idled there for approximately five minutes while Officer Suchta wrote me a citation for Interference with Vehicular Traffic. The citation states that the alleged violation for which I was cited occurred at 6:05 pm. Officer Suchta then opened the rear door of the car and let me out. He removed the handcuffs and gave me the citation. Officer Suchta then reentered the police car and drove away; he did not return my sweatshirt which he had placed in the front seat of the car.

I then entered the emergency room, where I was admitted at 6:35 pm. Hennepin County Medical Center took pictures of my injuries, which included a cut on the bridge of my nose, a cut above my right eye and a cut on my right hip. These pictures are a part of my medical record and are available from me upon request. The cut on the bridge of my nose required two stitches, which were administered by a doctor. I also received x-rays of my wrist. The doctor informed me that there was a possibility that my wrist was fractured, and that further x-rays were needed. He put a cast on my right wrist, and told me to schedule an appointment within the next ten days for more x-rays. I will return to Hennepin County Medical Center April 11, 2002 to get these x-rays.

My bicycle was taken by the Minneapolis Police Department. It was returned to me on April 2, 2002. It is missing the front right brake pad, and the rear tire is flat and must be replaced. These damages were not present before I was thrown from my bicycle by Officer Suchta.