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Woman settles excessive force lawsuit against Brookfield Township Police

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A Brookfield woman has settled an excessive force lawsuit against the Township, its police department, and an officer.

A joint stipulation of dismissal filed in the U.S. District Court states that Jennifer Miller and the defendants have settled and indicates that a settlement check of an undisclosed amount has been requested and is expected to be sent. The parties agreed that if the check isn’t received, a motion to enforce the settlement agreement could be refiled. Each side will bear its legal costs and fees.

Miller filed the lawsuit in 2024, claiming that Brookfield Police Officer Cody Dean used excessive force during her booking process following an OVI arrest on or about Nov. 8, 2023. The lawsuit alleged that Dean shoved Miller to the ground in a "martial arts style throw," causing her to lose consciousness. Miller contended she was unarmed and not acting aggressively at the time.

The lawsuit further claimed Brookfield Township failed to adequately train or supervise its officers regarding arrest procedures and the use of force. Miller sought $1 million in damages and a court order for the township to adopt policies to prevent similar alleged misconduct.

In July, Brookfield Police Chief Aaron Kasiewicz said an internal investigation into the incident cleared Officer Dean of wrongdoing.

Police stated that while Miller sustained injuries, Dean sought immediate medical treatment for her and that there was no intentional act of harm.

The police department attributed Miller's fall to factors including her intoxication, resistance to entering her cell, her footwear, and a one-handed pull-and-push maneuver to guide her inside. Kasiewicz had described the incident as a "terrible accident" and noted that internal changes regarding prisoner handling had been implemented.

Court records show Miller pleaded guilty to charges of having an open container and driving under the influence in the related case and was sentenced to 10 days in jail.


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