Note:All charges against Harry Dalgaard were dropped in this case.

The Eugene Police Department has launched an inquiry against its own officers after two University students filed complaints alleging police misconduct at a recent off-campus party.
University sophomore Emily Plummer filed a complaint Nov. 15, the day after the party, stating police used excessive force while breaking up the gathering. Plummer was cited at the party for minor in possession and interfering with police.
Two other students who attended the party — sophomore Harry Dalgaard, Plummer’s boyfriend, and Oregon State University sophomore Nick Hankerson — also filed complaints with EPD. Dalgaard was arrested and charged with two counts of interfering with police.
Internal Affairs Coordinator Sgt. Kel Williams is now heading an inquiry to determine whether police crossed the line from necessary force to excessive force. EPD spokeswoman Kerry Delf could not comment on the particulars of the inquiry because the case is still being investigated.
Officers were dispatched to the Nov. 14 party just before 11 p.m., after a neighbor called to complain of noise, Delf said. According to Delf, one officer estimated about 300 people in attendance with 100 to 150 located in the backyard.
The officers issued a total of 16 minor in possession citations, two police interference citations and one disorderly conduct citation.
Plummer said she did not see the altercation that took place between Dalgaard and police before he was put on the ground, but Plummer said what she did witness was shocking.
“I walked out and saw three cops,” Plummer said. “One was beating my boyfriend with a billy club, and one was smashing his head into the ground.”
Dalgaard refused to comment on the advice of his attorney.
Williams said officers clearly documented probable cause to arrest Dalgaard, and when he resisted, an appropriate level of force was used to make a lawful arrest.
The injuries Dalgaard sustained are consistent with potential injuries a person who resists arrest could sustain, Williams said.
“There’s not a gentle, injury-free way to make that happen,” Williams said of arresting an individual who resists.
Delf said it is not unusual to have multiple officers assist with an arrest if an individual resists or does not comply with officers’ demands.
Plummer released to the Emerald photographs showing the injuries sustained by Dalgaard, which include a scraped cheek, cuts on his forehead and gravel imbedded in his ear.
Plummer alleged that one of the officers surrounding Dalgaard pointed to another student standing across the street and said, “That one’s next.” Plummer said she then put her body in front of the student, yelling at the officers that they could not beat him up.
Plummer said she was then grabbed by an officer and “slammed” against a patrol car with her arms behind her. She was handcuffed but not arrested.
Delf said officers followed the standard response procedure for a large and “out-of-control” party with numerous minors in attendance.
“There wasn’t anything that I can determine out of the norm,” Delf said. “We have received a few inquiries involved with the people involved, and our internal affairs is looking into it.”
The inquiry will not be completed until Williams speaks with two other people who made complaints with the department.