The grandson of Minneapolis' first African-American female cop has sued the city's police department, saying his rough treatment during a February traffic stop left him with emotional scars and a broken finger.
Rico McKinnies alleged in his excessive force lawsuit that not only did he suffer "stress, fear, shame, humiliation, and embarrassment" from the Feb. 8 episode, but also lost wages and medical expenses.
McKinnies is the grandson of Deoloris "Dee" Dunn, who joined the department in 1975 as its first black female officer, after answering a classified job ad. She spent 18 years on the force, before retiring with the rank of sergeant.
After Dunn's death in January — several weeks before the stop involving her grandson occurred — police Chief Medaria Arradondo remembered her a "true pioneer" whose "perseverance, professionalism and leadership paved the way for many women."
The suit, filed last month and later moved to federal court, lists as co-defendants the city of Minneapolis and the three officers who were at the scene: Rachel Reiersgord, Chad Conner and J. Spies. It seeks more than $50,000 in damages.
A police spokeswoman said Monday that the department's policy is to not comment on pending litigation.
In its response, filed Monday, attorneys for the city said that McKinnies repeatedly refused to produce his driver's license and proof of insurance when asked, and that he started resisting as he was being led into the police squad. The city denied most of McKinnies' allegations, including that the officers used excessive force on him.
On the night in question, McKinnies was pulled over by Reiersgord and Connor for an unspecified traffic violation in the area of N. 34th Avenue and 6th Street, his attorney said; McKinnies denied any wrongdoing and asked to speak with the officers' supervisor, to no avail. Shortly afterward, Spies arrived and the officers conferred with each other on how to proceed, as McKinnies dialed 911 to request a supervisor come to the scene, the suit said.
