Darious Morris, a member of Detroit’s civilian police oversight board, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Detroit, the Detroit Police Department, two police unions, and four officers. He accuses them of defamation, libel, and slander.
Background of the Lawsuit
Morris claims that the defendants falsely accused him of criminal and unethical conduct, including intimidating officers and leaking confidential information online. Despite two separate city bodies clearing him of these allegations, the defendants continued to push them, according to the lawsuit.
In January, Morris complained on social media about a handful of officers in the 9th Precinct and took issue with a commander who would not allow him into the precinct’s building without taking off his belt and belongings before going through a metal detector. Morris posted the officer’s name and photo online and attempted a social media campaign to get the officer fired.
Police unions called for Morris’ resignation and accused him of doxxing officers. After the social media posts, Detroit’s Office of Inspector General received complaints from the officers alleging that Morris had used his position to harass officers, post their photos and personal information online, bypass station security, and intimidate officers.
The Office of Inspector General opened an investigation and concluded in March that Morris did not abuse his authority as alleged. The lawsuit states that the defendants knew their allegations were false and were told of the Office of Inspector General’s results before the office published its findings.
Despite this, the offices filled a complaint against Morris with the City of Detroit Board of Ethics, which was also dismissed due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The lawsuit argues that these complaints against Morris were filed in retaliation against his lawful exercise of civilian oversight and his constitutionally protected criticism of the police department.
The lawsuit is requesting $25,000 in damages, arguing that the defendants’ reckless disregard for the truth resulted in Morris suffering damage to his reputation, public office, business, and standing in the community.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
