Home invasionOff dutyThreats/intimidationIllegal search/seizureFalse arrest or reportGun
Plaintiff:
Markee Cooper, Sr.
Incident date:
02/17/2007
Location:
1015 N. Laramie Ave.
Allegations:
Officer Dailey was investigating the whereabouts of two cocaine dealers when he took part in creating two false complaints to obtain a search warrant of a home in the Austin neighborhood. The complaints claimed that on multiple occasions a confidential informant had purchased drugs from the two dealers at the home. Cooper, a 32-year-old decorated police officer, was at the residence with his two minor sons, his wife and his mother when officers forcibly entered the home looking for the two cocaine dealers. Assuming the home was being burglarized, Cooper drew his gun. In response, the officers also drew their guns. Cooper presented the officers with his badge and deed to the building, which he had owned for the past four years. Upon realizing that the warrant had the wrong home and that Cooper was a police officer, the officers decided to execute the search anyway. For 75 minutes, the officers forced the family to stay in one area of the home while the officers and two dogs searched all floors, including an unfinished basement. The officers left after finding no drugs or anyone living in the basement. The officers made reports stating that the Coopers had informed them that one of the cocaine dealers had previously lived in that residence. As a result of this, Cooper lost the trust of his co-workers in the department and has been harassed and intimidated on multiple occasions by off-duty officers waiting in front on his house.