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Lawsuit to be filed against ex-cop By CHRIS BRISTOL GOLD HILL -- A dirt-biker who claims he was roughed up by then-police chief Dave Crawford plans to sue the city for up to $500,000. An attorney for Chris Brooks notified the city in a letter dated June 7 of her client's intent to pursue a civil lawsuit. Mayor Tim Roddam and city attorney Steve Rich declined to discuss the case Monday, except to confirm receipt of the letter. Lee Ferguson, the Medford attorney who represents Brooks, said she hadn't yet been contacted by city officials. "Frankly, I don't expect to hear from them anytime soon," she said, "but if they want to talk about it, I'd be more than happy to take the call." She said she may file the suit in Jackson County Court within two to three months. Crawford resigned earlier this month after a Jackson County judge convicted him of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and harassment for an arrest involving Brooks. Crawford was the city's only paid police officer. According to trial testimony, the 30-year-old Brooks was riding a dirt bike Jan. 2 along the railroad tracks north of town when he spotted Crawford's patrol car on his tail and tried to elude the chief. The chase ended when Brooks, who considered Crawford a friend, crashed into a small ravine or irrigation ditch. "Dave ran up with his gun drawn, screaming `Get on the f------ ground.' " Brooks testified. "He told me, `If you move, I'll blow your f------ head off!' "Then he gave me a swift kick in the side." Brooks went on to testify that an enraged Crawford kicked him again, kneed him on the back of the head and proceeded to drag him by the handcuffs back to the patrol car. When they got there, Brooks said Crawford slammed him down so hard on the hood of the car that it caused the visor on his helmet to pop off and left a small dent in the hood. "It made him mad," Brooks said, "and he yelled, `Look at what you did to my car!"' Brooks went on to testify that he didn't believe Crawford recognized him with his helmet on. He said Crawford cited him only for traffic violations and then gave him a ride home. Crawford also testified, denying the allegations. In his ruling, Judge Ross Davis cited the testimony of a bystander who corroborated key elements of Brooks's story. Davis also convicted Crawford of attempted coercion for threatening an elderly Trail couple during a 1996 off-duty traffic altercation. He is scheduled for sentencing July 8. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA