The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the city of Miami Beach and two of its police officers over a gay man the ACLU claims was wrongfully arrested. According to the ACLU, Harold Strickland was arrested in March 2009 as retaliation for calling 911 to report that two officers were beating and kicking a man who was handcuffed and laying on the ground.
The suit focuses on Strickland’s arrest, but highlights to other issues: the practices of unlawfully targeting gay men and arresting people who report police misconduct. Strickland was charged with “loitering and prowling.”
“For years, the ACLU has received reports that Miami Beach police have targeted gay men near Flamingo Park for nothing more than being gay,” said ACLU attorney Shelbi Day in a media release.
The officers in question regarding the Strickland case are Frankly Forte and Elliot Hazzi. The suit seeks damages for false arrest and violation of Strickland’s First and Fourth Amendment rights. According to the ACLU, their evidence includes a deposition of the officers, a recording of Stickland’s 911 call and his cell phone records and the officers’ own arrest affidavits which the ACLU claims indicate the officers lied to cover up their misconduct.
ACLU attorney Ray Taseff said the Miami Beach police have “an alarming history” of arresting people who try to document police misconduct.
“When the police become the problem rather than the solution, the entire community suffers,” added Day.
The ACLU told Miami Beach police they intended to sue six months ago, demanding the police department take action to stop harassment of gay men near Flamingo Park and arrest of people who report police misconduct. According to the ACLU, the internal investigation remains open and no corrective action has been taken.
