Metro Settles Lawsuit Over Transit Police Treatment Of Teens
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Metro has settled a lawsuit over how transit police interact with juveniles after a girl alleged excessive force by an officer.
Metro says it proposed a settlement that will bring an independent expert to review past cases and recommend whether improvements should be made in how officers interact with juveniles. As part of the settlement, Metro will pay $34,000 into a trust for the plaintiff's health needs.
The case was settled out of court. A federal judge approved the settlement Tuesday.
The American Civil Liberties Union brought the case after a 14-year-old girl alleged an officer struck her and caused a head injury while arresting her.
Metro spokesman Dan Stessel says the case stems from an incident with rowdy juveniles on a train. He says the plaintiff assaulted the officer.
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