Police

City of Golden Valley Settles Lawsuit with Former Interim Police Chief, Paying $162,500 in Settlement

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Golden Valley, Minnesota – The city of Golden Valley has reached a settlement in a lawsuit with its former interim police chief. The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust paid $162,500 on behalf of the city to resolve the suit. The lawsuit, filed in June 2023 by Scott Nadeau, alleged reverse discrimination by the city. Nadeau, a white man, claimed that he was the most qualified candidate for the police chief position in Golden Valley. However, he alleged that the city chose to hire Virgil Green, a black man, instead. Nadeau and his attorneys sought … Read more

Sea Girt Police Officer Awarded Over $1.5 Million for Military Service Discrimination Lawsuit

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Sea Girt, New Jersey – A Sea Girt police officer has been awarded over $1.5 million in damages and nearly $600,000 in attorney fees by the Appellate Division. The officer, Kenneth Hagel, claimed that he was denied a promotion and faced discrimination due to his military service obligations with the U.S. Navy Reserve. In 2013, Hagel, who was serving as a full-time patrol officer in Sea Girt, alleged that he was denied the opportunity to apply for the position of sergeant. He filed a lawsuit, known as Hagel v. Sea Girt, in Monmouth County Superior … Read more

Jury Awards $32 Million in Damages to Family of Suicidal Teen Wrongfully Killed by Benton Police

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal jury in Little Rock has awarded $32 million in damages to the family of a suicidal teenager who was killed by the Benton police in 2016. The jury reached its verdict on Monday against the City of Benton and former Police Chief Kirk Lane. The case brings attention to issues of police conduct and accountability, with significant implications for civil rights and law enforcement practice. The incident occurred on October 17, 2016, when the mother of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle called 911 to report that he had threatened suicide with … Read more

Jersey City Halts Police Settlement Payouts to Focus on Animal Sheltering; Plans Agreement with Guttenberg

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Jersey City, New Jersey – The administration of Jersey City has withdrawn resolutions for settlement payouts totaling nearly $3.3 million during Monday’s City Council caucus. Instead, the focus shifted towards discussing animal sheltering. The resolutions were withdrawn to allow for closed discussions on the confidential details of the settlement offers. Councilman Frank Gilmore from Ward F expressed his concerns about voting on the settlements without closed discussions, and Councilman Richard Boggiano from Ward C supported the idea of a closed session. A tentative plan has been made to hold the closed session before the council’s … Read more