CA6: Officer’s unprovoked attack on ptf for shutting his door on uninvited officer was excessive

The officer’s unprovoked attack on the plaintiff for shutting his door on police officers not invited in was excessive force under the Fourth Amendment. “There was no need for any force in this situation because no crime was being committed and there was no immediate threat to the safety of anyone; yet, when Harris decided to close the door to his own home, Officer Pendleton suddenly attacked him without warning. This unprovoked violence cannot be excused as the consequence of a ‘split-second judgment.’ The facts, as alleged, portray a patently unreasonable use of force.” Harris v. Langley, 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 8476 (6th Cir. May 6, 2016).