The Associated Press
DENVER (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado sued the Denver Police Department on Wednesday to seek records from an investigation into whether officers engaged in racial profiling in a 2002 arrest.
Air Force veteran Terrill Johnson, who is black, complained of property damage, racial profiling and harassment after police arrested him April 12, 2002, according to the lawsuit filed in Denver District Court.
Johnson said two officers followed his car while he headed home from his job at Denver International Airport. When Johnson got home, the officers drew their weapons on Johnson, who was not armed, the lawsuit said. Additional officers arrived, handcuffed Johnson and slammed him onto a police car while shouting racial slurs, the suit alleged.
One officer allegedly explained his actions by saying he “lost a partner to a black man” and that Johnson’s car was a type driven by gang members.
Johnson was charged with two traffic offenses and disobeying a lawful order with a police officer, but those charges were dismissed, the lawsuit said.
A year later, police sent Johnson a letter saying an accusation of excessive force was not sustained. The letter said, “Other charges were sustained,” but did not elaborate or say whether officers were disciplined, according to the ACLU.
Police Chief Gerry Whitman withheld records regarding the investigation on grounds that disclosure would be “contrary to the public interest,” the ACLU alleged.
A police spokesman did not return a message seeking comment.