Police in Ferguson draw sharp criticism from how they handled protests after the shooting death of Michael Brown.
The people have had it. Ferguson, Missouri’s police department is under fire again, and this time to the tune of $40 million.
Five people recently arrested in Ferguson have filed a federal lawsuit claiming police used wanton and excessive force. The complaint filed Thursday alleges officers from Ferguson and St. Louis County used unnecessary force and made unjustifiable arrests as they attempted to crack down on protests after the deadly police involving shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown. The lawsuit cites circumstances surrounding several arrests that occurred between August 11-13.
Reuters reports the defendants in the case are the City of Ferguson, St. Louis County, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Delmar, Ferguson police officer Justin Cosmo, and several other police officers from Ferguson and St. Louis County.
One plaintiff says she and her son were in a McDonald’s restaurant when several officers with rifles ordered them to leave. She was thrown to the ground by an officer and both she and her son were arrested. Another plaintiff says he was trying to visit his mother in Ferguson when he was shot with rubber bullets by police. Once he was on the ground, he was beaten and doused with pepper spray. Other plaintiffs say they were protesting peacefully when they were fired on with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.
Police officials say officer Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown in an altercation when he asked Brown to move out of the road. Witnesses have said Brown had his hands up in the surrender position when he was shot multiple times, including on the top of his head.
A grand jury in St. Louis County is currently hearing evidence in the case.