SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A public watchdog agency has determined that the San Francisco Police Department used excessive force in a violent 2024 wrongful arrest incident. The San Francisco Department of Police Accountability released findings Monday determining two SFPD officers used unnecessary force and violated multiple policies in the July 4, 2024 arrest of Matthew Ludwig.
After incorrectly entering Ludwig’s license plate number into their computer, the officers mistakenly determined he was driving a stolen car. However, rather than deploying their lights to initiate a traffic stop, officers jumped out of their patrol vehicle behind Ludwig’s car at a red light.
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One of the officers smashed the car window with a baton, opened the door — which was unlocked — and dragged Ludwig onto the street by the hood of his sweatshirt, according to the DPA. During the encounter, Ludwig’s left arm was pinned underneath him. When he moved his other arm to brace himself against the pavement, the DPA said an officer threatened to pepper spray him.
One of the officers also briefly put his knee on Ludwig’s head. Officers also pepper sprayed him in the face before handcuffing him.
Only after Ludwig was in custody did officers realize their mistake. But the SF District Attorney’s Office still charged him with resisting arrest and reckless driving, based on the officer’s claims…