There are two active lawsuits against the Minden Police Department (MPD) as of November 10, 2023:
- Ben Quarles v. Chris McClaren, Chris Hammontree, Steve Cropper, and the City of Minden
On February 1, 2022, Ben Quarles was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler at the intersection of Pine and Main Streets in downtown Minden. According to the lawsuit, Quarles committed no traffic violations, but was pulled from his car, pepper-sprayed, and arrested when he refused to get out. The lawsuit alleges that the officers used excessive force and violated Quarles’ Fourth Amendment rights.
- Robby Dale Bailey v. City of Minden, Steve Cropper, and six Minden Police officers
On April 15, 2021, Robby Dale Bailey suffered an epileptic seizure while walking his autistic grandchild to school. According to the lawsuit, Bailey was “violently hit and kicked without cause” by officers while sitting on the ground, and was handcuffed and restrained even though he was clearly disoriented. The lawsuit alleges that the officers used excessive force and violated Bailey’s Fourth Amendment rights.
Both lawsuits are ongoing, and the MPD has denied any wrongdoing.
In addition to these two active lawsuits, the MPD has been involved in several other high-profile police brutality cases in recent years. In 2019, the MPD settled a lawsuit for $1.5 million after a white officer shot and killed an unarmed Black man during a traffic stop. In 2020, the MPD was criticized for its handling of protests against police brutality, with some alleging that officers used excessive force and arrested peaceful protesters.
The recent lawsuits against the MPD have raised concerns about the department’s use of force and its treatment of minorities. Some community members and activists are calling for reforms to the MPD, such as increased transparency and accountability.
