The Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved paying $235,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who said he was punched, kicked and tasered by at least six police officers during a traffic stop -- an incident that was captured on video.
Minneapolis settles suit with man who alleged police beating
The incident was captured on video, and it led to a police department-wide review. The council approved paying $235,000 to settle Derryl Jenkins' lawsuit.
May 29, 2010 at 4:44AM
Derryl Jenkins filed the suit Feb. 1, about a year after he was pulled over in north Minneapolis.
City Attorney Susan Segal confirmed the settlement in an e-mail to the Star Tribune. The city agreed to pay $150,000 to Jenkins and $85,000 for his attorney's fees.
Police Chief Tim Dolan ordered police officers to watch the video of the incident and later ordered a review of many arrests that resulted in medical treatment. Calls to Jenkins' attorneys on Friday were not returned.
The settlement marks the latest for a city that has paid out millions of dollars over police brutality allegations: $885,622 for incidents that occurred in 2007, $700,900 for incidents that occurred in 2008 and $356,000 so far for incidents that occurred in 2009.
Cases sometimes take several years to wind through the system, so the cost of settlements for incidents that occurred last year could grow.
In his lawsuit, Jenkins said he didn't know why he was pulled over on Penn Avenue N. at 3 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2009, while driving to a friend's house to listen to music.
Police said he was driving 15 mph over the speed limit. In the video, police officer Richard Walker walks up to Jenkins' car and, a few seconds later, Jenkins' door opens. The two men talk to each other for more than a minute, but then Jenkins steps out of his vehicle even as Walker tells him to remain seated inside.
As soon as Jenkins emerges from his car, Walker wrestles him to the ground, stopping briefly to call for backup. Several officers responded and later wrote in their reports that they used force, including punching and kicking, to try to control and handcuff Jenkins. He was also tasered.
Chief Dolan reviewed video of the incident and said he disapproved of officers kicking Jenkins. He ordered all officers to review the video with a supervisor and discuss the proper use of force.
Jenkins suffered a cut above his eye that needed seven stitches, chipped teeth and an injured thumb. Walker had two split lips and a bloody nose.
Matt McKinney • 612 673-7329
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