imported post
lapeer,
Among your options is an FBI Color of Law complaint. This costs no money, and you should keep it on the table as one of your options you might want to pursue.
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/color.htm
"U.S. law enforcement officers and other officials like judges, prosecutors, and security guards have been given tremendous power by local, state, and federal government agencies—authority they must have to enforce the law and ensure justice in our country. These powers include the authority to detain and arrest suspects, to search and seize property, to bring criminal charges, to make rulings in court, and to use deadly force in certain situations.
"Preventing abuse of this authority, however, is equally necessary to the health of our nation’s democracy. That’s why
it’s a federal crime for anyone acting under “color of law” willfully to deprive or conspire to deprive a person of a right protected by the Constitution or U.S. law. “Color of law” simply means that the person is using authority given to him or her by a local, state, or federal government agency."
Given that it is known that the MSP is
well aware of the legality of open carry (they've issued more than one bulletin about it) this officer could very well be found to have willfully deprived you of protected rights. Also, if your belief that other law enforcement officers were involved is true, the entire set of circumstances regarding their actionsmay rise to the level of conspiracy to deprive a citizen of rights, as is also addressed in this process.
I think you handled yourself very well. Thanks for your efforts!
