Merced police department hires attorney amid excessive force allegations

The Merced Police Department announced this afternoon that it's hired an outside attorney to represent the city in legal matters related to recent excessive force allegations.

The department said in a statement that it will host a press conference at 3:30 p.m. today to update the public on its internal investigation and announce the attorney's hiring.

The department's Internal Affairs Division launched an investigation last week to examine allegations that two officers used excessive force when they Tasered a legless, wheelchair-bound man who was unarmed on Sept. 11.

The man who was Tasered, 40-year-old Greg Williams, hasn't filed a lawsuit against the department but has hired two attorneys of his own, including renowned Oakland attorney John Burris.

Check back here or read tomorrow's Sun-Star for more information.