D.C. Settles With Mass Arrest Victims ($425K + apology from police chief)

[Rose Siding]

The District government agreed yesterday to pay a total of $425,000 to seven people caught up in a mass arrest at a downtown park in September 2002, acknowledging that they were wrongfully arrested and promising to adopt changes in police procedures.

The agreement settles a lawsuit in which the seven alleged that D.C. police violated their constitutional rights and department policy during the roundup of about 400 protesters and bystanders in Pershing Park. The settlement also requires D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey to send a personal letter of apology to each of the plaintiffs.

The monetary award raised questions about the settlement's effect on three lawsuits that make similar claims against the city, including a class-action suit filed on behalf of all 400 people arrested that day.

"It's too bad the taxpayers have to pay for the wrongful actions of our police department," said D.C. Council member Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3), who issued an investigative report last year that said Ramsey and other police officials had conspired to cover up evidence of wrongdoing during the mass arrest.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33527-2005Jan24.html

[el_gato]

1. that award should be paid from the Chief and officers retirement funds

[diamond14]

2. and that is from 2002 arrests....just wait until the lawyers get around to

the MASS ARRESTS made during the recent bush* coronation...

[TNOE]

3. This is good news

in the midst of a whole lot of bad today.

[gratuitous]

4. SOP

Deny people their constitutional rights at an event, then two years later say "Ooops, sorry. Have some money."

Then we hear how strapped for cash all these agencies are that are supposed to protect us. I think the idea of the settlement money coming out of the chiefs' pension fund should be looked into - make the guilty pay for the crime.