A top officer at the Bloomington Police Department has been placed on administrative leave while facing a lawsuit alleging police misconduct.
Assistant Police Chief Paul Williams is accused of violating the rights of two Bloomington residents, Garrett Chubb and Lenelle Higgins, during a June traffic stop.
The federal lawsuit filed Aug. 10 said Williams pulled over Chubb and Higgins on June 14 while operating an unmarked car and wearing civilian clothes. They allege Williams ordered their arrest without probable cause.
A video shared with WGLT by Chicago-based attorney Jared Kosoglad, who is representing Chubb and Higgins, appears to show Williams leaning into a vehicle displaying his badge. The person holding the camera asks Williams multiple times to identify himself and state his badge number. The video then shows Williams walking away. He's wearing a plaid shirt, khaki shorts and flip flops.
Williams approached the vehicle, the suit said, startling Chubb and Higgins when his police badge hit the car. Chubb, the driver, and Higgins, who was in the passenger seat, began filming Williams and verbally criticized him, the suit said, but neither person "threatened Williams, touched him, obstructed him, damaged property of engaged in violence."
Williams then returned to his vehicle, the suit said, called other officers, and "used his command authority to order those officers to arrest both Plaintiffs."
The suit describes other officers at the scene as "confused about what crime had occurred."
A short time after Williams left the scene, it says, officers returned Chubb and Higgins' cell phones seized by Williams.
A disorderly conduct citation issued by the officers was dismissed when prosecutors declined to file charges, according to the lawsuit. The allegations include retaliation in violation of Chubb and Higgins' First Amendment right to film and criticize the police. The suit further alleges false arrest and unreasonable seizure of property.
The City of Bloomington is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The city issued a statement Tuesday saying Williams has been place on administrative leave, adding it initiated an investigation into the incident before the suit was filed.
"The Bloomington Police Department is a highly professional and well-respected organization, made up of individuals who serve with excellence and accountability," a spokesperson said in the statement. "The City remains fully committed to upholding these standards and will continue to support the Department while ensuring any concerns involving personnel are reviewed carefully and addressed appropriately."
Citing pending litigation, the city said it would not comment on the specific allegations of the lawsuit.
Chubb and Higgins have requested a jury trial. An initial hearing has not yet been scheduled.
"This case exemplifies how poor judgment by police officers creates danger and causes harm to the community," Kosoglad said in response to WGLT's request for further comment. "Officer Williams must be held accountable for the harm he caused here, and through their lawsuit, Garrett and Lenny hope to receive fair and impartial justice for their wrongful arrest."
