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Sioux Falls resident alleges unlawful detention by SFPD shift lead; says state investigation substantiated complaint
Summary
During public input David Nelson alleged he was detained and searched without cause by an SFPD shift lead on Sept. 4, said he filed a complaint and that the Department of Criminal Investigation "thoroughly investigated and formally substantiated" his case; he said he plans civil action and requested recusal of a city communications staffer with family ties to the officer.
A downtown business owner told the Sioux Falls City Council he intends to pursue legal action after an incident he described as an unlawful detention by Sioux Falls police.
David Nelson, who identified himself as a Sioux Falls resident and downtown business owner, said that on Sept. 4 he was boxed in by three squad cars, detained by a shift lead he named as Lieutenant Forster, searched and had a lawfully concealed firearm seized. Nelson said a state trooper corrected police conduct at the scene and that he filed a formal complaint with the city; he said the Department of Criminal Investigation "thoroughly investigated and formally substantiated" his complaint and that disciplinary review is now before the state Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission. Nelson also requested recusal of Megan Forrester from aspects of his case, saying she holds city communications responsibilities and is the lieutenant’s daughter.
Nelson’s remarks were delivered during the meeting’s general public input period; there was no response from police leadership on the council record during the meeting. Nelson said he had submitted a complaint to the city and the state; the council did not take action on his request during the meeting.
The transcript records Nelson’s allegation and his stated next steps; no city staff or police response is included in the meeting record.
