The San Diego City Council approved $86,450 to settle an assault case involving a former police officer caught on camera attacking two paramedics.
Video of the April 2014 attack shows the incident involving Anabal Solis, a former San Diego Police officer who, at the time, had been demoted to a parking enforcement officer.
Uniformed paramedics Steven Cogle and Derek Shubin said they walked into the Golden Hill 7-Eleven and thanked Solis, also in uniform, as he held the door for them.
According to the medics, Solis – a former amateur boxer – followed them into the store, threatened them and threw a punch at Shubin.
After restraining Solis with a chokehold, the video shows Cogle pushing him away. But Solis comes back and punches Cogle in the face, knocking him unconscious.
Jurors found Solis guilty of misdemeanor battery against Cogle earlier this year, and they deadlocked on the count involving Shubin.
The paramedics then filed a lawsuit against the city.
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Their attorney, Dan Gilleon, said he hopes this sends a message to the police department.
"He's an officer, or at least employee, of the police department," explained Gilleon. "Just because he's a proverbial meter maid doesn’t mean he's not wearing a badge and using the color of authority to commit violence."
A spokesman for the San Diego Police Department said Solis is no longer employed there.
