Detective In Honking Stop Has A History Of Complaints Against Him

ST. LOUIS, MO — Detective Steve Burle, who detained computer programmer Scott Smith after the man honked his horn at Burle's unmarked police car last week, has history of lawsuits and civilian complaints, records show. The Riverfront Times reported the detective's identity Thursday, including the fact that he serves on the Force Investigation Unit tasked with investigating misuse of force by St. Louis police officers.

According to a 2014 civilian complaint obtained by Patch, the recent traffic stop was not the first poor interaction Burle has had with community members. "It is alleged that Det. Burle told both complainants as they walked by, 'You animals are the reason we are out here,'" the document reads. "When they asked his name, he told them it was 'Officer.'"

The complainants named in the document were both teenagers at the time. When they protested Burle's comments, they said, he threatened to arrest them.

Rebecca Gorley, a spokesperson for ArchCity Defenders, a legal advocacy group, said her organization had named Burle in a 2016 civil rights lawsuit, alleging he watched as another officer, David King, beat Occupy protester Scott O'Rourke at the city jail, then conspired with King to cover up the attack.

"Have you ever had the shit beat out of you?" King is alleged to have asked O'Rourke, telling him that he "was going to be in a world of pain."

King broke O'Rourke's nose, leaving him bloodied and requiring surgery. Burle was present and witnessed the threats and the attack, the lawsuit claims.

O'Rourke was later acquitted of all charges against him. ArchCity Defenders said those charges were fabricated in order to justify his illegal detention.

In May, 2008, Burle was sued in federal court for unlawfully entering a residence without a warrant, attacking a suspect, and bringing false charges to cover up his actions. In December of the same year, a judgement was entered in another civil rights suit against Burle for excessive force and false imprisonment. According to those documents, he again watched as fellow officers beat and strangled a detained suspect.

Burle was also caught up in a social media scandal that cost a Fox 2 reporter his job, and led to calls for the firing of Police Lt. Jerry Foster. After the mother of Michael Brown was invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention last year, Foster wrote on Facebook, "Why not let them speak? It is the Democratic Criminal Party. How fitting." Fox 2 reporter Bobby Hughes replied, "She’s going to talk about the new lead diet she’s endorsed. Five servings and you can lose 200 lbs in two years easily," referencing the death of her son at the hands of police in 2014. Burle liked that post.

Hughes was fired. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department pledged an investigation, but Foster did not lose his job and Burle was not disciplined. The department has also pledged to investigate Burle's recent traffic stop, but has declined to comment further about the incident.

Scott said he was detained for 45 minutes during the stop for apparently no reason. "You're sitting at a green light. I have to go back to work," he told Burle in a video that has now gone viral.

"Really," Burle answers. "I hope you're not in a hurry. You're going to be late for a little while."

A 2014 U.S. Supreme Court Case, Rodriguez v. United States, ruled that traffic stops must be reasonably short. Courts have made exceptions in specific cases, such as when an officer is requesting a drug dog to inspect the vehicle. But, being detained for 45 minutes for no reason seems to meet any definition of unreasonable.

Patch has requested more information on the traffic stop under Missouri's Sunshine Law, but the department's legal division has said there are no responsive records. Smith said he was told he would receive a ticket in the mail, but was not informed what the ticket was for. It is unclear if such a ticket was ever issued or if Burle plans to issue one. Patch has asked for clarification and will update this story when we hear back.

Watch the video of the traffic stop here

Image via Shutterstock