Alleged Police Misconduct in Logan Square Raid

By Margaret Lyons in News on Jun 12, 2008 5:34PM

A group of partygoers is suing the Chicago Police Department for $10 million for what they say was misconduct and an illegal search of a La Familia Motorcycle Club in Logan Square. The suit claims police officers used stun grenades, held people at gun point for three hours, stole $3,000, and performed inappropriate and humiliating strip searches on female guests.

Surveillance video shows SWAT officers pointing assault rifles at people who are on their knees and using plastic handcuffs to restrain people.

The video does not show women being strip searched — or officers breaking open amusement devices and a safe. [The plaintiffs' lawyer] said he believes that activity was not on the video because officers pointed surveillance cameras toward the ceiling.

According to NBC 5, "though the time stamp on the tape said it was September 2007, police confirmed the actual date was May 30."

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond says the police executed a legal search warrant, and even though no official complaint has been filed with the Independent Police Review Authority, the department is still investigating the charges. [Trib, CBS, S-T, NBC 5]