A man who often carries a large sign that is derogatory toward police is suing Westminster and Westminster police officers.

Eric Brandt claims his First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment Constitutional rights were violated when he was twice falsely arrested on two separate occasions, according to the civil suit filed in U.S. District Court.

Brandt, in the suit filed Tuesday, claims he was arrested “without probable cause to believe he had committed any offense,” in violation of the Fourth Amendment, in retaliation for his “First Amendment protected right to free speech.”

Brandt has had numerous problems with Westminster police, according to the suit.

Many officers know and dislike him, because wherever Brandt goes he carries a large, handmade sign which reads: “(expletive) Cops.”

He also wears a sweat shirt with the same message.

Brandt was arrested Oct. 31, 2014, after refusing Sgt. James Buckner directive to leave a public park.

Brandt was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, one which prohibits “indecent” language in public parks, and for obstruction.

Later, the same day, at about 6 p.m., Brandt was stopped by officer Roger Stockman, on a public sidewalk on 72nd Avenue in Westminster, and issued a summons for “indecent language in a park” and for trespassing, according to the suit.

All charges were later dismissed, the suit said.

The suit also claims Brandt was silenced, and arrested, at a Westminster City Council meeting, in August 2014, when he tried to use a five-minute public speaking platform to address “police brutality.”

Brandt was jailed on suspicion of obstruction and resisting arrest. The charges were later dropped.

“Defendants, acting without probable cause, procured groundless charges against (Brandt) in order to maliciously bring about…criminal prosecutions,” the suit claims.

The city and officers engaged in willful, malicious and reckless disregard of Brandt’s constitutional rights, according the the suit.

Brandt, in the suit, asks for relief for emotional distress and economic loss in an amount to be determined at trial.

He also seeks punitive damages against the city and police.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson