Report: Atlanta PD Mishandled Eagle Bar Raid

Following an investigation into the mishandling of a gay bar raid, several Atlanta police officers have surrendered their badges and guns.

Six months after the city of Atlanta paid 28 people $1.025 million to settle a federal lawsuit in connection with the September 10, 2009, raid on the Atlanta Eagle Bar, a prestigious law firm was hired to look into what happened that night. The results of the investigation, which were made public Tuesday night, concluded that most of the officers involved in the operation violated departmental procedures, and disciplinary action is expected.

In addition to finding that the officers violated the fourth amendment rights of patrons, the Atlanta Police Department Office of Professional Standards determined that 10 officers were “not truthful” about the events of the raid and that antigay slurs were used during the incident.

According to the report, patrons were forced onto the floor as background checks were run, and the officers were questioned about this. The report quotes one of the officers as saying, “There’s a risk factor involved when you’re dealing with people you don’t know anything about. S&M, that has a stigma of some sort of violence.”

Remaining Atlanta police officers will reportedly undergo new training in the next three months.

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