Officer

Pittsburgh City Council Settles Black Teacher's Suit Against White Officer

Pittsburgh City Council has approved paying $52,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by a black teacher who claims he was wrongfully arrested by a white police officer.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review first reported the settlement, ending 39-year-old Dennis Henderson's lawsuit against officer Jonathan Gromek.

Gromek arrested Henderson in June 2013 after the teacher commented on Gromek's cruiser driving fast outside a community meeting on police relations with the city's black community.

Henderson spent 12 hours in jail before prosecutors withdrew his disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the proposed settlement calls for the city to adopt a policy acknowledging the public's right to record officers with cellphones, and consider requiring that officers record data on pedestrian stops.

The city didn't immediately comment on the settlement.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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