Police Misconduct

Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Public Strip-Search and Racial Profiling Traffic Stop 

The PCJF and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs filed a federal lawsuit against the Laurel Maryland Police Department for publicly strip-searching Allan Sergeant during a baseless traffic stop which occurred solely on the basis of racial profiling. The lawsuit ended with a $125,000 settlement for the plaintiff.
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Pershing Park Mass False Arrests

In 2002, D.C. MPD and U.S. Park Police encircled Pershing Park and refused to allow anyone to leave before arresting and hog-tying peaceful demonstrators. The case received national and international focus after it was revealed by the PCJF that the MPD and its attorneys had engaged in widespread destruction and withholding of evidence. The case resulted in more than $10 million in financial compensation and substantial reforms of MPD and U.S. Park Police practices.
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