# Calhoon v. City of South Lake Tahoe

> District Court, E.D. California · February 8, 2023

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10050415

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, E.D. California
- **Decided:** February 8, 2023
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10050415

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- finding no liability for an officer who “did 11 not have a realistic opportunity to intervene given that the alleged violation occurred within a 12 matter of seconds . . . .”

## Opinion text

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6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
8
9 Wayne S. Calhoon, No. 2:19-cv-02165-KJM-JDP
10 Plaintiff, ORDER
11 v.
City of South Lake Tahoe Police Dep’t, et al.,
IS Defendants.
14
15 In this civil rights action arising from an altercation between South Lake Tahoe police
16 | officers and plaintiff Wayne Calhoon, defendant Sergeant Travis Cabral moves for partial
17 | summary judgment on Calhoon’s second claim for failure to adequately supervise police
18 | personnel under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. For the reasons stated below, Cabral’s motion is granted in
19 | part and denied in part.
20 | I. BACKGROUND
21 The court has compared the parties’ statements of fact, see Pl.’s Resp. to Statement of
22 | Undis. Mater. Facts (Resp. to UMF), ECF No. 87-1; Def’s Statement of Undis. Mater. Facts
23 | (UMP), ECF No. 86-2; Computer Assisted Dispatch Log (CAD) Ex. 2, ECF No. 87-2, and
24 | reviewed the cited deposition transcripts and available cell phone footage, Cell Video, Ex. 4, ECF
25 | No. 87-2, provided by plaintiff and lodged with the court in USB format, see Notice of Lodging,
26 | ECF No. 88. Based on this review of the record, the court finds the following facts are either
27 | undisputed or, if disputed, are properly construed in the light most favorable to Calhoon.

1 A. Evidentiary Objections
2 First, Cabral objects to Calhoon’s use of Drake’s cell phone video and a police log of the
3 incident, arguing the evidence is both irrelevant and not authenticated. Reply at 5; Cell Video;
4 CAD. Parties may object to evidence cited to establish undisputed facts. See In re Oracle Corp.
5 Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d 376, 385–86 (9th Cir. 2010). A court may consider evidence that would be
6 “admissible at trial.” Fraser v. Goodale, 342 F.3d 1032, 1036 (9th Cir. 2003). But the
7 evidentiary standard for admission at the summary judgment stage is lenient: A court may
8 evaluate evidence in an inadmissible form if the evidentiary objections could be cured at trial.
9 See Burch v. Regents of Univ. of Cal., 433 F. Supp. 2d 1110, 1119–20 (E.D. Cal. 2006). In other
10 words, admissibility at trial depends not on the evidence's form, but on its content. Block v. City
11 of Los Angeles, 253 F.3d 410, 418–19 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.
12 317, 324 (1986)). Though the cell phone video and police log are not currently authenticated, the
13 court may consider them at this stage because nothing about the contents suggests they would be
14 inadmissible at trial if properly authenticated. See Burch, 433 F. Supp. 2d at 1119–20.
15 B. Factual Background
16 Wayne Calhoon, Desiree Drake and Drake’s two children shared a motel room at the
17 South Lake Tahoe Motel 6 on October 14, 2018. UMF ¶ 1. That morning, South Lake Tahoe
18 Police Department (SLTPD) received a 911 call from Drake, requesting a civil standby to help
19 remove her items from the room. Id. ¶ 2. Drake also shared she was feeling harassed and
20 threatened by Calhoon. Id. In response, SLTPD sent Officers Matthew Morrison, Joseph Acker,
21 Nick Carlquist, Derek Simon and Sergeant Travis Cabral to assist. Id. ¶¶ 4–6. Acker, Carlquist
22 and Simon arrived at the scene at 7:59 a.m. Deposition of Officer Joseph Acker Ex. F (Acker
23 Dep.) at 40:23–24, ECF No. 86–3; Deposition of Wayne Calhoon Ex. 5 (Calhoon Dep.) at 39:21–
24 25, 40:1–4, ECF No. 87–2. Acker interviewed Drake, who was outside the room with her
25 children, and determined Calhoon was preventing Drake from retrieving her belongings. UMF
26 ¶ 5; Acker Dep. at 29:4–14.
27 Officers then announced themselves and knocked on the hotel room door twice. Calhoon
28 Dep. at 72:2–24. Calhoon did not respond. Id. At approximately 8:08 a.m., officers again
1 knocked on the door, this time more vigorously, and demanded Calhoon open the door. Id. at
2 73:6–12; Acker Dep. at 40:22. Calhoon, who had the door’s safety lock engaged, partially
3 opened the door and saw a pistol pointed between his head and breastbone. Calhoon Dep. at
4 73:15–25. Calhoon closed the door and retreated into the room, fearful for his life. Id. at 76:18–
5 22. At some point after Calhoon closed the door, officers threated to break it down and arrest him
6 for failing to comply with police orders. Id. at 77:9–14.
7 Morrison and Cabral then arrived at the scene at 8:14 a.m. Deposition of Officer Matthew
8 Morrison Ex. G (Morrison Dep.) at 19:24–25, 20:1–3, ECF No. 86–3; Calhoon Dep. 39:21–25,
9 40:1–4, CAD at 2; Rule 26 Report Ex. 1, ECF No. 87–2. Morrison immediately spoke to the on–
10 site motel manager, James Hightower. Morrison Dep. at 21:5–13. Hightower testified he told
11 Morrison Calhoon was on the motel’s do not rent list and “should not have been checked in in the
12 first place.” Deposition of James Hightower Ex. K (Hightower Dep.) at 42:20–25, 43:1–4, ECF
13 No. 86–3. Morrison testified Hightower wanted Calhoon to vacate the room. Morrison Dep. at
14 24:1–4.
15 Morrison radioed the other officers and informed them Hightower requested Calhoon be
16 evicted. Morrison Dep. at 24:15–18; Deposition of Travis Cabral Ex. I (Cabral Dep.) at 99:17–25,
17 100:1–15, ECF No. 86–3. He also shared Hightower wanted the officers to inform Calhoon of the
18 eviction. Morrison Dep. at 24:15–18; Cabral Dep. at 99:17–25, 100:1–15. Drake then filmed the
19 officers ordering Calhoon to exit the room, handcuffing him and allowing Drake to enter the
20 room. Cell Video, 00:50–01:04. Calhoon opened the door and complied with officers’ commands
21 while they detained him and applied handcuffs. Calhoon Dep. at 78:25, 79:1–25, 80:1–25,
22 81:1–10.
23 Carlquist detained and handcuffed Calhoon while Cabral watched.1 Calhoon Dep. at
24 83:18–20; Cabral Dep. at 110:14–25, 111:1–22; Carlquist Dep. at 102:21–23. While detaining
1 The court notes discrepancies in Calhoon’s testimony regarding the officers’ use of
excessive force. In his deposition, Calhoon states Carlquist “inspected [his] handcuffs so they
weren’t too tight and that I wasn’t injured,” Calhoon Dep. at 83:17–19, but in his interrogatory
responses, Calhoon claims Acker, not Carlquist, used excessive force in detaining him and
1 him, Carlquist kicked Calhoon’s left knee and groin, leaving injuries for which Calhoon needed
2 crutches and a leg brace. Calhoon Dep. at 88:24–25, 89:1–9. Carlquist also conducted a control
3 hold that tore Calhoon’s pectoral muscles, id. at 89:19–24, and injured Calhoon’s wrists,
4 Response at 10. Officers refused to loosen handcuffs despite Calhoon’s complaints. Id. at 14.
5 Officers then searched the room, including the refrigerator, without consent. Calhoon Dep. at
6 86:12–18; Cabral Dep. at 77:16–24; Morison Dep. at 29:19–25, 30:1–25, 31:1–2. Calhoon was
7 handcuffed for 30-40 minutes. Calhoon Dep. at 88:2–5. Calhoon was escorted to the hospital
8 later that day because of physical injuries sustained from the police interaction and a “heart a-
9 fibrillation” problem. Opp’n at 11 n.2, ECF No. 87; Calhoon Dep. at 83:14–24.
10 C. Procedural Background
11 Calhoon initially brought this lawsuit against the City of South Lake Tahoe, the police
12 department and all officers involved. Initial Compl., ECF No. 1. In October 2020, after multiple
13 amended complaints, the court dismissed the actions against the police department and City and
14 the § 1983 claims against Officers Morrison, Acker, Carlquist and Simon.2 Dismissal Order, ECF
15 No. 38. Calhoon then filed a fourth amended complaint, which included supervisory liability
16 claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Sergeant Cabral. Fourth Am. Compl. (Compl.),
17 ECF No. 64. Cabral now moves for partial summary judgment, arguing he is protected by
18 qualified immunity and even if he were not, Calhoon does not provide evidence of constitutional
19 violations. See generally Mot, ECF No. 86. Calhoon opposed, Opp’n, and Cabral replied, Reply,
20 ECF No. 90. The court heard oral argument on December 9, 2022. Mins. Hr’g, ECF No. 94.
21 Edwin Bradley appeared for Calhoon and Daniel Bardzell appeared for Cabral. Id. The court
22 granted the parties’ leave to file supplemental briefing on the issue of supervisory liability and
23 excessive force. Id. Cabral filed a supplemental brief in support of his motion, Cabral Supp.
24 Brief, ECF No. 96, and Calhoon filed a supplemental brief in opposition, Calhoon Supp. Brief,
25 ECF No. 97.
Defendants maintain it was Carlquist who applied the handcuffs. Deposition of Nick Carlquist
Ex. H (Carlquist Dep.) at 102:21–23, ECF No. 86–3
2 Calhoon maintains this court “committed reversible error when it dismissed the patrol
officers after Defendants’ Rule 12 motion.” Opp’n at 8 n.1.
1 II. LEGAL STANDARD
2 A court will grant summary judgment “if . . . there is no genuine dispute as to any material
3 fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The
4 “threshold inquiry” is whether “there are any genuine factual issues that properly can be resolved
5 only by a finder of fact because they may reasonably be resolved in favor of either party.”
6 Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250 (1986).
7 As a general matter, the moving party bears the initial burden of showing the district court
8 “there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party's case.” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S.
9 at 325. The burden then shifts to the nonmoving party, which “must establish that there is a
10 genuine issue of material fact . . . .” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S.
11 574, 585 (1986). Both parties must “cit[e] to particular parts of materials in the record . . . or
12 show[ ] that the materials cited do not establish the absence or presence of a genuine dispute, or
13 that an adverse party cannot produce admissible evidence to support the fact.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
14 56(c)(1); see also Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 (“[The nonmoving party] must do more than
15 simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.”).
16 In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the court draws all inferences and views all
17 evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587–88.
18 “Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-
19 moving party, there is no ‘genuine issue for trial.’” Id. at 587 (quoting First Nat'l Bank of
20 Arizona v. Cities Serv. Co., 391 U.S. 253, 289 (1968)). Where a genuine dispute exists, the court
21 draws inferences in plaintiffs’ favor. Tolan v. Cotton, 572 U.S. 650, 660 (2014).
22 The Supreme Court has taken care to note district courts should act “with caution in
23 granting summary judgment,” and have authority to “deny summary judgment in a case where
24 there is reason to believe that the better course would be to proceed to a full trial.” Anderson,
25 477 U.S. at 255.
1 III. ANALYSIS
2 A. Supervisory Liability
3 Calhoon brings supervisory liability claims against Cabral for violations of Calhoon’s
4 Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force and unreasonable search and seizure.
5 See generally Compl.; Reply at 9. Specifically, Calhoon alleges: (1) Cabral failed to train officers
6 in conducting civil standbys, (2) Cabral failed to supervise subordinate officers and intervene
7 when officers assaulted Calhoon by pointing a gun at him at him, conducted an unreasonable
8 search of the motel room and used excessive force to detain him. Compl. ¶¶ 34–42; Reply at 11–
9 12. Cabral argues Calhoon does not properly allege any constitutional violations and asserts
10 qualified immunity. See generally Mot.
11 It is well established that “[a] supervisory official is liable under § 1983 so long as ‘there
12 exists either (1) his or her personal involvement in the constitutional deprivation, or (2) a
13 sufficient causal connection between the supervisor's wrongful conduct and the constitutional
14 violation.’” Rodriguez v. County of Los Angeles, 891 F.3d 776, 798 (9th Cir. 2018) (quoting
15 Keates v. Koile, 883 F.3d 1228, 1242–43 (9th Cir. 2018)). The causal connection is established
16 “by setting in motion a series of acts by others or by knowingly refus[ing] to terminate a series of
17 acts by others, which [the supervisor] knew or reasonably should have known would cause others
18 to inflict a constitutional injury.” Id. (alteration in original) (quoting Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d
19 1202, 1207–08 (9th Cir. 2011)). Therefore, “[a] supervisor can be liable in his individual
20 capacity for his own culpable action or inaction in the training, supervision, or control of his
21 subordinates; for his acquiescence in the constitutional deprivation; or for conduct that showed a
22 reckless or callous indifference to the rights of others.” Starr, 652 F.3d at 1208 (quoting Watkins
23 v. City of Oakland, 145 F.3d 1087, 1093 (9th Cir. 1998)). “A supervisor is liable under § 1983 for
24 a subordinate's constitutional violations ‘if the supervisor participated in or directed the
25 violations, or knew of the violations and failed to act to prevent them.’” Maxwell v. County of
26 San Diego, 708 F.3d 1075, 1086 (9th Cir. 2013) (quoting Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th
27 Cir.1989)).
1 Additionally, regardless of whether an officer is a supervisor, all “officers have a duty to
2 intercede when their fellow officers violate the constitutional rights of a suspect or other citizen.”
3 United States v. Koon, 34 F.3d 1416, 1447 n.25 (9th Cir.1994), rev'd on other grounds, 518 U.S.
4 81 (1996). “[O]fficers can be held liable for failing to intercede” if they had the opportunity to do
5 so. Cunningham v. Gates, 229 F.3d 1271, 1289 (9th Cir. 2000), as amended (Oct. 31, 2000); see
6 also Atencio v. Arpaio, 674 F. App'x 623 (9th Cir. 2016) (unpublished) (holding a supervisor who
7 witnessed an individual detainee being kicked by a fellow officer was not liable because there
8 was no evidence the supervisor himself participated in the excessive force, knew it would occur
9 or “had a realistic opportunity to stop” it.); Est. of Adkins, by & through Adkins v. County of San
10 Diego, 384 F. Supp. 3d 1195, 1203 (S.D. Cal. 2019) (finding no liability for an officer who “did
11 not have a realistic opportunity to intervene given that the alleged violation occurred within a
12 matter of seconds . . . .”).
13 “Because supervisory liability is personal liability, an official against whom a claim of
14 supervisory liability is advanced may assert the affirmative defense of qualified immunity.” Doe
15 v. City of San Diego, 35 F. Supp. 3d 1214, 1225 (S.D. Cal. 2014). “Qualified immunity is a
16 judge-made doctrine designed to ‘balance[ ] two important interests—the need to hold public
17 officials accountable when they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from
18 harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties reasonably.’” Haley v. City
19 of Boston, 657 F.3d 39, 47 (1st Cir. 2011) (quoting Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 231
20 (2009)).
21 The two–pronged test currently used for assessing whether qualified immunity applies
22 was first articulated in Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001). Pearson, 555 U.S. at 232 (citing
23 Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201). Under that test, the court first “decide[s] whether the facts that a
24 plaintiff has alleged or shown make out a violation of a constitutional right.” Id. (internal
25 citations omitted). Then, “if the plaintiff has satisfied this first step, the court must decide
26 whether the right at issue was ‘clearly established’ at the time of defendant's alleged misconduct.”
27 Id. (citing Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201). “[U]nder either prong, courts may not resolve genuine
28 disputes of fact in favor of the party seeking summary judgment.” Tolan, 572 U.S. at 656
1 (citations omitted). “[W]hen there are disputed factual issues that are necessary to a qualified
2 immunity decision, these issues must first be determined by the jury before the court can rule on
3 qualified immunity.” S.R. Nehad v. Browder, 929 F.3d 1125, 1140 (9th Cir. 2019) (quoting
4 Morales v. Fry, 873 F.3d 817, 824 (9th Cir. 2017)). Since Pearson, courts are “permitted to
5 exercise their sound discretion in deciding which of the two prongs of the qualified immunity
6 analysis should be addressed first in light of the circumstances in the particular case at hand.”
7 555 U.S. at 236. This court exercises its discretion in addressing the first prong of qualified
8 immunity first.
9 As explained below, Calhoon does not show there is a genuine dispute of material fact
10 regarding his claims that Cabral failed to train officers and failed to supervise officers when they
11 pointed a gun at him and conducted an unreasonable search of the motel room. Thus, the court
12 need not reach qualified immunity on these claims. However, Calhoon successfully shows a
13 genuine dispute of material fact as to his claim that Cabral failed to intervene when another
14 officer detained Calhoon. Calhoon overcomes qualified immunity on this claim.
15 B. Failure to Train
16 To succeed on a failure to train theory, a plaintiff must show the official was “deliberately
17 indifferent to the need to train subordinates, and the lack of training actually caused the
18 constitutional harm or deprivation of rights.” Flores v. County of L.A., 758 F.3d 1154, 1159 (9th
19 Cir. 2014) (citing Connick v. Thompson, 563 U.S. 51, 59 (2011)). “While deliberate indifference
20 can be inferred from a single incident when ‘the unconstitutional consequences of failing to train’
21 are ‘patently obvious,’ an inadequate training policy itself cannot be inferred from a single
22 incident.” Hyde v. City of Willcox, 23 F.4th 863, 875 (9th Cir. 2022) (internal citations omitted).
23 Calhoon alleges Cabral failed to train officers regarding the use of firearms, handcuffs and
24 the lawful boundaries of searches and seizures. Compl. at 12–14; Reply at 10. At the December
25 hearing, Calhoon conceded Cabral had no duty to train officers before the alleged incident
26 because Calhoon could not point to prior similar incidents. See generally Opp’n. Thus, the court
27 grants summary judgment on this claim.
1 C. Failure to Supervise and Intervene
2 Calhoon alleges Cabral is liable under § 1983 for failing to supervise and intervene when
3 subordinate officers assaulted Calhoon and illegally threatened him, illegally searched the motel
4 room and used excessive force when detaining Calhoon. See generally Compl. Cabral denies
5 any constitutional violations occurred, and even if they did, claims qualified immunity. See
6 generally Mot. In the light most favorable to Calhoon, a reasonable fact finder could not find
7 Cabral committed any constitutional violations in failing to supervise and intervene when officers
8 allegedly assaulted Calhoon and searched the motel room. Cabral was not present for the assault
9 and threats and reasonably relied on information from other officers while supervising the
10 detention and search. However, Calhoon raises a genuine dispute of material fact as to Cabral’s
11 failure to intervene when a subordinate officer used excessive force in detaining Calhoon and he
12 survives qualified immunity on this claim.
13 1. Assault and Threats
14 First, as described in detail above, Calhoon alleges officers, while facilitating a civil
15 standby, greeted him at the motel room door by pointing a gun directly at his face. Calhoon Dep.
16 at 75:1–2, 73:21–25. However, it is undisputed Cabral did not arrive at the motel until after this
17 incident occurred. Morrison Dep. at 19:24–25, 20:1–3; see generally Calhoon Dep. Thus, even if
18 a reasonable jury finds officers used excessive force in pointing a gun at Calhoon’s face, Calhoon
19 has not shown Cabral was involved in this action at all. See Rodriguez, 891 F.3d at 798; Starr,
20 652 F.3d at 1207–08. Calhoon has also not shown any evidence of a causal connection between
21 Cabral’s actions and the assault. See Rodriguez, 891 F.3d at 798; Opp’n at 9.
22 Calhoon also alleges Cabral failed to supervise subordinate officers when they threatened
23 Calhoon with jail time before the officers learned of the alleged eviction request. Calhoon Dep.
24 at 77:9–17. Again, it is undisputed Cabral was not present for this alleged violation. Resp. to
25 UMF 13. Calhoon also has not shown any causal connection between Cabral’s conduct and the
26 alleged violation, so Calhoon’s claim here cannot survive summary judgment.
1 2. Detention and Search
2 Second, Calhoon alleges Cabral is liable as a supervisor for subordinate officers’ Fourth
3 Amendment violations in detaining Calhoon and searching the motel room. “The Fourth
4 Amendment prohibits ‘unreasonable searches and seizures’ by the Government, and its
5 protections extend to brief investigatory stops of persons or vehicles that fall short of traditional
6 arrest.” United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273 (2002) (quoting Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 9
7 (1968)). “[I]n such cases, the Fourth Amendment is satisfied if the officer's action is supported
8 by reasonable suspicion to believe that criminal activity ‘may be afoot.’” Id. (quoting United
9 States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 7 (1989)). Courts “must look at the ‘totality of the circumstances’
10 of each case to see whether the detaining officer has a ‘particularized and objective basis’ for
11 suspecting legal wrongdoing.” Id. (citation omitted).
12 An individual’s Fourth Amendment rights cannot be violated if he did not have standing,
13 or an “expectation of privacy,” when the search was conducted. Rakas v. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128,
14 143, 148 (1978). Generally, individuals have Fourth Amendment protections in hotel and motel
15 rooms. United States v. Cormier, 220 F.3d 1103, 1108–09 (9th Cir. 2000). “Part of what a
16 person purchases when he leases a hotel room is privacy for one's person and one's things.”
17 United States v. Young, 573 F.3d 711, 716 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing United States v. Dorais,
18 241 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 2001)). However, a guest’s retention of a legitimate expectation of
19 privacy is terminated when a motel manager asks the police to evict the resident. United States v.
20 Bautista, 362 F.3d 584, 590 (9th Cir. 2004).
21 As noted above, construing the facts in the light most favorable to Calhoon, Hightower did
22 not explicitly ask Morrison to evict Calhoon. Morrison, the only officer to speak to Hightower,
23 radioed the other officers at the scene, including Cabral, and told them Hightower asked for
24 Calhoon to be evicted. Morrison Dep. at 24:15–18. A reasonable jury could find Morrison
25 misconstrued Hightower’s words when informing other officers of the eviction request. In that
26 case, Calhoon would have remained a guest with legitimate privacy interests in the room when
27 officers detained him. See Cormier, 220 F.3d at 1108-08; Calhoon Dep. at 76:24–25, 77:1-6,
28 79:15–25.
1 But Calhoon attempts to hold Cabral, not Morrison, liable for the detention and search.
2 “Where an officer has an objectively reasonable, good–faith belief that he is acting pursuant to
3 proper authority, he cannot be held liable if the information supplied by other officers turns out to
4 be erroneous” and “[is] generally entitled to rely on information obtained from fellow law
5 enforcement officers.” Motley v. Parks, 432 F.3d 1072, 1081–82 (9th Cir. 2005), overruled on
6 other grounds by United States v. King, 687 F.3d 1189 (9th Cir. 2012). “The lynchpin is whether
7 the officer's reliance on the information was objectively reasonable.” Id. at 1082.
8 Calhoon does not dispute Morrison relayed the information pertaining to the eviction to
9 the other officers, including Cabral. See generally Resp. to UMF; Reply. The officers, relying on
10 Morrison’s information, believed Calhoon, who refused to exit the room, had lost standing with
11 respect to the hotel room and was trespassing. Acker Dep. at 50:11–18, 95:10–18. Calhoon has
12 not provided any evidence showing Cabral’s belief in Morrison’s statement was unreasonable.
13 See generally Opp’n. Thus, even if the search itself was unconstitutional, Cabral is shielded from
14 liability. See Motley, 432 F.3d at 1082.
15 Additionally, during the December hearing, Calhoon conceded a quick protective sweep
16 conducted by officers would have been reasonable. Calhoon instead argues the officers
17 overstepped their legal limits by searching through Calhoon’s belongings without a warrant or
18 applicable exceptions. However, it is undisputed Cabral did not participate in the search but
19 instead was supervising Calhoon outside the room. Morrison Dep. at 31:3–6; Cabral Dep. at
20 77:21–25, 78:1–5. Calhoon has not provided any evidence Cabral ordered officers to search
21 Calhoon’s belongings. Paiva v. City of Reno, 939 F. Supp. 1474, 1489–90 (D. Nev. 1996)
22 (denying supervisory liability when plaintiffs “presented no evidence” that a police chief
23 “participated in the [unconstitutional] search, was the ‘moving force’ behind that search, or that
24 he implemented a policy respecting nonconsensual warrantless entries onto private premises”).
25 Although Cabral testified he knew an officer was searching the motel room for a weapon, Cabral
26 Dep. at 78:3–5, this information does not change Cabral’s liability. When officers reasonably
27 perceive a threat of physical harm, a limited search for weapons is allowed. United States v.
28 King, 693 F. Supp. 2d 1200, 1220 (D. Haw. 2010) (“[T]he search was reasonable as a goal of
1 public safety as the [agents] did not intend to keep [the suspect] in custody at that time and
2 wanted to avoid the possibility of providing [the suspect] access to a weapon once beyond [the
3 agents’] supervision.”); United States v. Flippin, 924 F.2d 163, 167 (9th Cir. 1991) (“Once the
4 officer was lawfully in the room, a reasonable suspicion that the defendant was arming herself
5 was sufficient for a Terry frisk and seizure of weapons.”). Here, officers conveyed to Cabral even
6 before his arrival they perceived Calhoon acting threateningly towards them. Cabral Dep. at
7 80:12–25, 81:1–13. Calhoon does not allege Cabral had reason to doubt officer’s claims they
8 were reasonably suspicious of the defendant and wanted to check the room for weapons before
9 allowing Calhoon to reenter.
10 Additionally, in his supplemental briefing, Calhoon claims “Cabral had ample opportunity
11 to himself clarify the purported eviction order.” Calhoon Supp. Brief at 3. However, Calhoon
12 points to no evidence indicating Cabral had any reason during the incident to believe the eviction
13 order was false such that he had a duty to second guess Morrison’s information.
14 3. Excessive Force
15 Third, Calhoon claims Cabral is liable for a subordinate officer’s use of excessive force
16 given that the officer detained Calhoon and kicked his left knee and groin, conducted a control
17 hold and applied handcuffs that were too tight, all leading to injuries. Calhoon Dep. at 88:24–25,
18 89:1–9, 89:19–24; Response at 14. Taking the facts in the light most favorable to Calhoon,
19 Cabral can be held liable for Calhoon’s wrist injuries, but cannot be held liable for Calhoon’s arm
20 and leg injuries.
21 Assuming an officer kicked Calhoon and conducted a control hold and those actions were
22 uses of excessive force, Calhoon has not shown any causal connection between Cabral’s conduct
23 and the alleged violation. Additionally, Cabral cannot be held liable for his lack of intervention
24 because the uses of force happened within seconds and Calhoon has not alleged Cabral had time
25 to intervene. See Cunningham, 229 F.3d 1271 at 1289. Calhoon also has not provided evidence
26 indicating Cabral ordered these uses of force against Calhoon. See Calhoon Supp. Brief at
27 (arguing Cabral was liable because entire event took place over 55 minutes, but not that Cabral
1 had opportunity to intercede when the actual uses of force took place); Rodriguez, 891 F.3d at
2 798.
3 Although it is not entirely clear, to the extent Calhoon argues Cabral ratified or acquiesced
4 to Carlquist’s behavior by not reprimanding Carlquist after witnessing the use of allegedly
5 excessive force, Calhoon still does not defeat summary judgment. A supervisor may be held
6 liable for the actions of his subordinates based on “his acquiescence in the constitutional
7 deprivations.” Dubner v. City of San Francisco, 266 F.3d 959, 968 (9th Cir. 2001). Courts may
8 find liability when supervisors “condone[], ratify[] , and encourage[] the excessive use of force.”
9 Watkins, 145 F.3d at 1093 (quoting Larez v. City of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646 (9th Cir.
10 1991)). If a supervisor “knew of unconstitutional conditions and ‘culpable actions of his
11 subordinates’ but failed to act” the supervisor can be held liable for “acquiescence in the
12 unconstitutional conduct of his subordinates.” Keates, 883 F.3d at 1243 (quoting Watkins,
13 145 F.3d at 1093). Here, Calhoon alleges Cabral saw, and therefore knew of, Carlquist’s use of
14 excessive force. It is undisputed Cabral did not reprimand Carlquist on site after witnessing the
15 alleged excessive force. See generally Calhoon Dep.; Cabral Dep. However, Calhoon does not
16 claim Cabral knew of a history of use of excessive force by Carlquist. Thus, Calhoon cannot
17 defeat summary judgment on this claim.
18 Calhoon also alleges an officer used excessive force in applying handcuffs that were too
19 tight and did not adjust them even after Calhoon complained about the pain. Interrogatory, Ex. 1
20 at 14. Viewed in the light most favorable to Calhoon, the record reflects Cabral witnessed
21 Calhoon’s handcuffing and had the opportunity to intervene and loosen the handcuffs at any point
22 during the 30 to 40 minutes Calhoon was handcuffed. Cabral Dep. at 110:14–25, 111:1–22;
23 Calhoon Dep. at 88:2–5; Cunningham 229 F.3d 1271 at 1289. Under this set of facts, Calhoon’s
24 claim here survives qualified immunity. The court must examine if the facts alleged by Calhoon
25 make out a constitutional right, and if so, determine whether the right was clearly established at
26 the time of the violation. Pearson, 555 U.S. at 232. It is clearly established that tight handcuffing
27 can constitute excessive force. Wall v. County of Orange, 364 F.3d 1107, 1112 (9th Cir. 2004).
28 Additionally, in Palmer v. Sanderson, the Ninth Circuit held officers who “fastened [] handcuffs
1 so tightly around [an individual’s] wrist that they cause[] [the individual] pain and le[eave]
2 bruises that last[] several weeks” or “refuse[] to loosen the handcuffs after [the individual]
3 complain[s] of the pain” are not entitled to qualified immunity, and “no reasonable officer could
4 believe that the abusive application of handcuffs was constitutional.” 9 F.3d 1433, 1435 (9th Cir.
5 1993). Here, because Calhoon points to facts supporting the conclusion the officer applied the
6 handcuffs too tightly and ignored Calhoon’s complaints about the pain, there is a dispute of
7 material fact regarding whether the officer’s application of the handcuffs was a violation of
8 Calhoon’s clearly established constitutional right to be free from excessive force. Additionally,
9 the Ninth Circuit has held an officer’s duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force
10 is clearly established. Cunningham, 229 F.3d at 1289. Viewing the record in the light most
11 favorable to Calhoon, Cabral had a duty to intervene when he witnessed another officer apply
12 handcuffs too tightly and do nothing when Calhoon complained of the pain. This failure to
13 intervene was a violation of Calhoon’s clearly established constitutional right, and thus Calhoon
14 cannot secure summary judgment on grounds of qualified immunity. The court denies Cabral’s
15 motion for summary judgment as to Calhoon’s claim of failure to intervene during the use of
16 excessive force.
17 IV. CONCLUSION
18 Cabral’s motion for summary judgment is granted in part and denied in part. The court
19 denies the motion on Cabral’s failure to intervene during an officer’s use of excessive force
20 but grants the motion on all other claims. A final pretrial conference is set for April 28, 2023 at
21 10:00 a.m. The parties shall meet and confer and file a joint status report 14 days prior to the final
22 pretrial conference addressing matters the court should consider in setting a trial date, including
23 whether they request referral to a magistrate judge to conduct a court-convened settlement before
24 the final pretrial conference. See E.D. Cal. L.R. 282; Fed. R. Civ. P. 16.
25 This order resolves ECF No. 86.
26 IT IS SO ORDERED.
27 DATED: February 7, 202 3.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10050415. Public record. Not legal advice.