Minneapolis City Council mulls police brutality settlement

The Minneapolis City Council today will consider approving a $50,000 police brutality lawsuit settlement.

According to the complaint filed in federal court, in 2012, after a night of drinking and dining, Alicia Joneja was sleeping in the lobby of her apartment building because she forgot her keys; a neighbor called 911 out of concern for her.

Joneja alleged one of the responding officers, Heather Sterzinger, struck Joneja in the torso with one of her knees, slammed her head into the concrete floor and dragged her across the floor causing injuries to her leg and shoulder.

City attorneys deny Sterzinger used excessive force and they say Joneja resisted the officer's attempts to control her. City staff, though, are recommending the council approve the settlement.

The council will also vote to fund a pilot program for officers to wear body cameras. City officials hope the cameras will help reduce the amount of money it spends settling police misconduct lawsuits.

Since 2003, the city has paid out more than $21 million in officer conduct-related lawsuit settlements, judgments and claims.

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