Policewoman sues over alleged false arrest

A Pennsylvania police officer and paranormal investigator has filed a lawsuit after she and her sons were arrested while they were performing an investigation. Diane Briscoe and her sons, Jonathan and Alton, were conducting a paranormal investigation inside a house in Upland in September 2010 when police officers barged in, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Briscoe, a Chester police officer and "semiprofessional paranormal investigator," said she and her sons were handcuffed at gunpoint, even though they had permission from the homeowner to be inside the residence. Although the homeowner was not present, Briscoe told police she had permission to be in the house, showed them a key, gave them the homeowner's phone number. Nonetheless, Briscoe and her sons were charged with trespass and disorderly conduct, charges that later were dismissed in district court. Briscoe has now filed a lawsuit against the arresting officers and Upland Borough for false arrest, assault and related charges.