Cop seeks $250K from former Des Moines councilperson Indira Sheumaker

A Des Moines police officer has asked a judge to resolve a two-year-old civil lawsuit filed against former City Councilperson Indira Sheumaker, who allegedly assaulted him during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

Why it matters: The case, which centers on a local protest that occurred shortly after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, underscores the unresolved tensions between police and some protesters.

• It's rare for officers to file civil lawsuits against people they've arrested; however, Officer Jeffrey George's attorney, Mark Hedberg, previously told Axios that he wants to raise public awareness of the case.

Driving the news: George is asking the judge to resolve the lawsuit before the trial, which is scheduled to start on October 21.

• He seeks nearly $224,000 from Sheumaker for emotional distress, $25,000 for punitive damages, and $5,000 for pain and suffering.
• Sheumaker, now representing herself in the case, did not respond to Axios' calls and emails on Wednesday for comment.

Catch up quick: Police allege in charging documents that multiple people tried to prevent them from making arrests at an Iowa Capitol protest in July 2020.

• That includes Sheumaker, who was accused of getting on George's back and placing him in a rear chokehold.
• Sheumaker pleaded guilty in May 2021 to aggravated misdemeanor assault on George in exchange for the dismissal of felony charges.

The intrigue: Six months after her guilty plea, Sheumaker defeated incumbent Councilperson Bill Gray.

• She resigned from the council in August 2023 after months of meeting absences.

Friction point: George and Officer Peter Wilson filed their lawsuit against Sheumaker and five other protesters in June 2022 while Sheumaker was still a councilperson.

• Sheumaker filed a counterclaim against the officers a month later, alleging they used force unconstitutionally in arresting her and others.
• A Polk County District Court judge dismissed her countersuit in late 2022, saying it was filed too late to meet Iowa's two-year statute of limitation.

State of play: Wilson recently removed his name from the complaint, while all defendants but Sheumaker have been dismissed from the lawsuit.