As part of that settlement, the judge ordered thorough investigations into the police raid. Plaintiffs alleged they were treated roughly by members of the now disbanded paramilitary Red Dog Unit, including officers hurling anti-gay slurs and racist slurs at them. The plaintiffs also said they were illegally searched and detained, violating their constitutional rights. The judge agreed the raid was unconstitutional when he signed off on the settlement.
Sgt. Curtis Davenport, spokesperson for the APD, told the GA Voice today he was not sure if the reports would be released today.
The city hired high-profile law firm Greenberg Traurig to conduct the city’s investigation with former U.S. Attorney Joe Whitley heading it up.
Reese McCranie, spokesperson for Mayor Kasim Reed, said the city has not yet received the report from Greenberg Traurig.
“The court mandated it be completed today, which could mean by midnight,” McCranie said. “Greenberg Traurig has not released it yet and once we receive it we will review it and release it to the public.”
As part of the three-week extension of the investigation, the city agreed to make many documents available to the public once the investigation is completed. The June 1 court documents state:
“In consideration of this extension, the City of Atlanta agrees that the report prepared by Greenberg Traurig, in addition to the report prepared by the Atlanta Police Department, regarding the individual conduct of the officers involved in the planning, execution, and aftermath of the Eagle Raid and any proceeding arising therefrom (including the above-styled action) will be a public record, along with:
(A) all transcripts of interviews conducted by Greenberg Traurig and the Atlanta Police Department;
(B) all exhibits appended to the reports;
(C) all factual information, however recorded, obtained by Greenberg Traurig from third parties regarding the conduct of the officers involved in the planning, execution, and aftermath of the Eagle Raid and any proceeding arising therefrom (including the above-styled action); and
(D) all factual information, however recorded, obtained by the Atlanta Police Department from third parties regarding the conduct of the officers involved in the planning, execution, and aftermath of the Eagle Raid and any proceeding arising therefrom (including the above-styled action).
On June 10, the APD rolled out changes ito its policies as part of fulfilling the requirements made in the settlement, including changes to its policies on searches and seizures.
Check back at www.thegavoice.com for continuing developments.