Traffic stopSexual harassment/abuseStrip searchThreats/intimidationExcessive forceIllegal search/seizurePhysical force
Plaintiff:
Darielle Hamilton
Incident date:
11/15/2011
Location:
5137 W. Division St.
Allegations:
Darielle Hamilton was driving with her nephew Tavares Hamilton and a friend on North Leamington Avenue near West Division Street when two unmarked City of Chicago vehicles pulled her over without justification. All three individuals were removed from the car and separated, and the officers began to search the car without probable cause. After they uncovered nothing illegal in their search, two of the officers, who were both white and male, moved Darielle to the back of her car and one of them roughly frisked her and fondled her breasts, while another officer laughed and made rude, inappropriate comments. The contents of Darielle's purse were strewn across the back of her car and onto the street. Meanwhile, at least three officers slammed Tavares face first onto the hood of the vehicle. Officer Delcid then removed a plastic bag from his pocket containing what appeared to be contraband and told Tavares if he did not get the officers a gun, he'd be charged with possession of the drugs. Three officers, including Officer Delcid, then handcuffed him and took him to an alley near North Central Avenue and West Division Street, about half a mile away, where he was forced to strip off all his clothing. As Tavares stood naked in the alley behind a gas station, Officer Delcid entered his contact information into Tavares' phone and again threatened him, saying he knew that he was on parole and if he didn't provide them with a gun he'd be charged with the contraband. The officers then left and Darielle picked Tavares up. The following day, Tavares and Darielle filed a complaint with the Bureau of Internal Affairs against the officers who abused them the previous day. Investigators from BIA took their statement and intentionally presented photos of the officers who harassed them in a way so as to prevent proper identification. Internal Affairs also waited almost a full year before interviewing officers so they could say they didn't recall ever stopping Darielle and Tavares.