David Shepardson, and David G. Grant; The Detroit News
February 14, 2001
Copyright 2001 The Detroit News, Inc.
The Detroit News
February 14, 2001, Wednesday
(DETROIT, Mich.) -- Detroit Police Officer Eugene Brown, who fatally shot three people and wounded a fourth in the line of duty, has sued the city for more than $175,000.
Brown filed two civil lawsuits, one in federal court and another in Wayne Circuit Court, charging that Police Chief Benny Napoleon retaliated against Brown and illegally refused to promote him.
After a report in The Detroit News last May detailed the city’s high number of police shootings, Napoleon ordered a new review of Brown’s shootings during his seven-year tenure as an officer.
In August, the chief passed over Brown for promotion to sergeant, while the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office declined again to bring any criminal charges.
Napoleon said Tuesday that he since reversed course and recommended Brown for promotion to sergeant in a letter two weeks ago to the Board of Police Commissioners. The board could act on the request as early as Thursday.
Brown, who is restricted to desk duty at tactical services, said Tuesday he expects to be promoted soon. “I don’t know why they went after me. I did nothing wrong,” Brown said. “I don’t know anyone in the upper management of the department, or why they did what they did.”
The federal court suit seeks at least $150,000 for “emotional distress, severe anxiety, mental anguish and humiliation.” The circuit court suit asks for at least $25,000.
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