A city jury awarded $600,000 to a sheriff's deputy who was arrested by a police officer in 2008 when he tried to help with an emergency call.
The decision came after a three-day civil trial, said Adam Sean Cohen, an attorney for Baltimore Sheriff's Deputy Arthur Phillips.
"The citizens of Baltimore will not allow police officers to indiscriminately arrest people and try to cover it up with lies," Cohen said.
City Solicitor George Nilson did not return a phone call seeking comment.
According to the complaint, the incident involved officers from three law enforcement agencies.
Phillips said he was called on May 8, 2008, by a friend who was concerned about the mental status of his brother, who at the time was employed as a correctional officer. Phillips responded in his marked departmental vehicle and full uniform to the friend's home, and police were eventually called to the scene after Phillips called a crisis hot line.
Phillips said Baltimore Police Sgt. Michael Pool rebuffed his attempts to explain the information he had gathered before Pool's arrival, yelling, "I'm in charge! Back off!"
When Phillips attempted to stay involved, Pool placed him under arrest. He was handcuffed and taken in a police wagon to the Northern District. A police report accused Phillips of "hindering," though he was released without charges.
The jury deliberated for two hours before reaching its decision, said Cohen, who tried the case with attorney Matthew E. Bennett. In Maryland, damages against local government agencies are capped at $200,000.
justin.fenton@baltsun.com