Fairfield, OH

Fairfield, OH: (May-02-07) Tony and Andrea Betts, a black couple, filed a lawsuit against the city of Fairfield, alleging that they were racially profiled during a traffic stop in September 2006. The couple was asked to stop on Dixie Highway by Sgt. Jeff Sprague, as the police report stated, Tony Betts was driving 15 miles under the posted 50 mph speed limit and weaving. Suspecting narcotics, Sprague called in a drug-sniffing dog, but no drugs were found. The Betts's claimed that they were embarrassed, humiliated and their most basic civil liberties were violated. An internal investigation released a few weeks after the incident cleared Sprague of the racial profiling claim, but the Betts persisted in their claim. In a settlement reached, the city agreed to pay the couple $25,000, ending the racial discrimination suit. As part of the settlement, the city also agreed to hold two public forums about what drivers should do when they are stopped by the police. Police Chief Michael Dickey will write the couple a letter of apology and provide additional training for officers. [CINCINNATI POST: RACIAL PROFILING]

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Published on May-7-07