Ogden Police Officer Zachary Young at the Heart of Tumultuous Lawsuit for excess of force

⚖️ Ogden Officer Zachary Young Sued for Alleged Excessive Use of Force

OGDEN, Utah — Officer Zachary Young and three Ogden Police Department officers are facing a federal lawsuit filed on May 8, 2023, by Shawn Sims, who was violently detained in April 2023 in what is being called a clear violation of his constitutional rights pacermonitor.com+15sltrib.com+15standard.net+15.

📅 April 22, 2023 – Violent Arrest on Washington Boulevard

• Around 5:40 p.m., police spotted Sims walking near a busy roadway. He briefly ran away with his hand near his waistband, according to police, who suspected he might have a weapon sltrib.com+1sltrib.com+1.
• Officers tackled him to the ground. Despite being pinned, Sims was reportedly punched in the head, shoulders, and back multiple times while officers shouted contradictory orders reddit.com+7sltrib.com+7gephardtdaily.com+7.

🩹 Serious Injuries and Use of a Taser

• Sims was reportedly tased twice—once in his back and once in his side—as officers attempted to remove his hands from under his body reddit.com+15sltrib.com+15sltrib.com+15.
• He later received medical treatment for four cracked ribs, a fractured nose and jaw, damaged orbital sockets, and suspected concussion gephardtdaily.com+3sltrib.com+3abc4.com+3.

📝 Federal Lawsuit Filed

• Sims’ lawsuit names Officer Young and other unnamed officers, alleging violations of his Fourth Amendment rights, failure to intervene, and departmental policies on force, training, and supervision law.justia.com+8abc4.com+8standard.net+8.
• The complaint asserts that once Sims was subdued, no threat remained, yet officers continued to assault him while he lay defenseless, fearing for his life sltrib.com+15sltrib.com+15standard.net+15.

🚔 Police Department’s Defense

• Chief Eric Young promptly defended the officers, stating their actions were justified given Sims’ threat posture and potential possession of a weapon. The department’s internal review cleared them of wrongdoing reddit.com+8sltrib.com+8reddit.com+8.
• The Ogden Police explained Sims’ behavior as “active aggression,” and emphasized the rapid escalation that led to the use of force ksltv.com+5upr.org+5reddit.com+5.

💰 Legal Developments

• By July 2023, Sims amended his complaint to include new officers and city entities law.justia.com.
• In November 2023, a federal judge granted Sims $13,248.85 in attorneys’ fees and court costs, acknowledging some merit to his claims law.justia.com.

🧭 Why This Case Matters

• Excessive Force Accountability: The extensive injuries and imagery from the scene highlight potential misuse of authority and the need for judicial oversight of police conduct.
• Policy Gaps and Training: Sims’ complaint points to systemic failures in force policy, de-escalation training, and situational assessments by officers.
• Community Confidence: Public reaction—including viral video and family advocacy—has spotlighted growing distrust of excessive force claims, even when departments internally justify officers’ actions.

👀 What to Watch Next

• Judicial Ruling: Courts will determine whether the force used violated Sims’ constitutional rights and if Ogden City bears liability.
• Policy Reforms: Depending on the outcome, the city might update its use-of-force procedures, training modules, or oversight practices.
• Broader Trends: This case echoes national concerns over policing tactics, transparency, and civilian protection during arrests.

Bottom Line: The lawsuit against Officer Young and the Ogden PD underscores urgent questions about police force limits, accountability mechanisms, and the balance between public safety and constitutional rights. The unfolding legal proceedings may set precedent for how such incidents are addressed nationally.