News

City settles after reforms made to police department

ATLANTA — Late Monday afternoon, the Atlanta City Council approved almost a $1 million in settlements and reforms to Atlanta Police Department rules.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne talked to one of the victims of alleged police misconduct for his reaction.

"(He) told me to put my hands on my head, and told me not to look down. Then he dropped my pants down and dropped my boxers down," victim Casey Daniels said.

Daniels said there was no protect and server when three Atlanta police officers approached and served up a big dose of injustice on him.

"At first, no one would listen. No one would believe," attorney Mark Bulman said.

The attorneys said the officers found nothing and Daniels wasn't charged in that incident, but justice is getting served now.

"We brought enough information to show that there was a pattern in practice," Bulman said.

Grossman said Daniels' case is one of four involving alleged Atlanta police misconduct in which city lawyers have agreed to a settlement involving $940,000 in total payouts and major APD reforms.

He said as a result of Daniels' case, which involves several other plaintiffs as well, strip searches must take place at a jail or similar facility, not in the field.

"I really happy. It's not even so much about the money," Daniel said.

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Grossman said as a result of a third lawsuit, over the infamous Eagle Bar raid, officers requested by lawyers to preserve information for evidence, like phone records, must do so.

Grossman said as part of a settlement over a case where a woman's video of alleged police misconduct was taken by an officer and erased, APD is implementing a rule change to specifically address that.

"This is nationally significant, in that we will be the leader in preventing officers in destroying evidence of their use of force," Grossman said.

He also said those changes include making violation of the rules of preservation of information and interference with a citizen's right to record fire-able offenses at APD.

Daniels said his Christian faith carried him through. His faith in police will take a while to restore.

"God gave me the strength. Prayer," Daniels said.

It is unclear what, if anything, the city is admitting or denying in the cases. Bulman said Daniel was wronged again by APD, being falsely charged in another incident, which is also settling and the charges are being expunged.

In a news release from the city, officials said they are pleased to end this chapter of litigation and move forward in the spirit of cooperation.