The city of Aurora in Colorado has agreed to pay a $1.9 million settlement to Brittney Gilliam and her four daughters, following a lawsuit that alleged 'profound and systematic' racism in the police force. The incident occurred in July 2020 when Gilliam, a Black woman, and her daughters were traumatized after being wrongly detained at gunpoint by Aurora police officers who mistakenly believed the vehicle Gilliam was driving was stolen.
The settlement was welcomed by the family's lawyer, David Lane, who stated that it would spare the girls from having to relive the traumatic experience during a trial. The money from the settlement will be evenly divided among Gilliam and her four daughters, with the portions assigned to the girls placed into annuities that would grow until they turn 18.
In response to the settlement, the city of Aurora confirmed that a deal had been reached and acknowledged the need for accountability and continual improvement in how the police force serves the community. The incident from 2020 had caused outrage, particularly following the protests against racial injustice sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
An investigation by prosecutors found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the officers involved, as they were believed to have followed their training for conducting a high-risk stop of a suspected stolen vehicle. However, prosecutors did describe the incident as 'unacceptable and preventable,' calling for a review of police policies to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This settlement is not the first time that Aurora has been compelled to pay out for police misconduct. In 2021, the city settled for $15 million with the parents of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who was killed by police officers during a stop in 2019. The subsequent state civil rights investigation, prompted by the public outrage over McClain's death, revealed a deeply ingrained culture of racially biased policing within the Aurora Police Department.
David Lane, the lawyer for Gilliam and her daughters, hopes that this settlement sends a message to law enforcement across the nation, emphasizing the necessity of using discretion when responding to situations. He believes that common sense must prevail over a robotic approach to policing.
Gilliam's outing with her daughters, which was intended to be a fun day, turned into a harrowing ordeal. As they sat in their car searching for a nail salon, police officers approached with guns drawn, ordering Gilliam and a passenger to put their hands out. Eventually, everyone in the car was ordered out and forced onto the ground.
In the midst of the chaos, Gilliam expressed her frustration at the officers, stating that their actions were unnecessary. Bystanders witnessed the incident and began to record videos as police officers struggled to handle the situation upon realizing that children were inside the vehicle.
It was later revealed that the Aurora Police Department's system incorrectly identified Gilliam's Dodge, with Colorado license plates, as stolen. In reality, the stolen vehicle had the same license plate number but was a motorcycle from Montana. It took approximately three-and-a-half minutes for officers to holster their guns and around eight-and-a-half minutes to remove the handcuffs from the girls after realizing their mistake.
Gilliam initially grappled with feelings of rage and helplessness but eventually found solace in giving birth to another daughter exactly one year later. She considers it a moment of awakening, recognizing the need to let go of her anger and focus on healing. Gilliam hopes that this settlement will bring about change and prevent other families from enduring similar traumatic experiences at the hands of law enforcement.
The settlement recognizes the emotional impact and lasting consequences of systemic racism within the police force. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for accountability, training reforms, and the cultivation of a culture that values and respects the lives and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their race.
