A recent court filing has brought to light serious allegations against a state trooper, capturing public attention with claims of racial discrimination and unlawful conduct. Douglas Bennett filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on August 6, 2024, accusing Illinois State Trooper M. Volkman of false arrest, illegal detention, and racial profiling.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on April 23, 2024. Bennett, a resident of Chicago, was driving to work in Will County when he was stopped by Trooper Volkman. According to Bennett's statement, the road was under construction, making it impossible for him to exceed the speed limit. Despite this, Volkman allegedly claimed that he had been speeding and requested Bennett's driver's license and insurance information.
Bennett argues that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated during this encounter. He questioned how Volkman had determined his speed without proper equipment and was met with an unsatisfactory explanation: "He was going over the speed limit to catch me," Bennett recounted in his filing. This response led Bennett to believe that his civil rights were being infringed upon through dishonest government service.
Further investigation into the incident revealed disturbing details. After filing a motion for discovery in Will County criminal court, Bennett reviewed audio and video footage from the stop. He concluded that Trooper Volkman's actions were motivated by racial discrimination and profiling rather than any legitimate traffic violation. "Trooper M. Volkman is a European state trooper with a history of violating African American rights," Bennett stated in his complaint.
The plaintiff contends that these actions are part of a broader pattern of misconduct within the Illinois State Troopers Agency. He asserts that such behavior violates both state and federal constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure as well as racial discrimination.
In seeking justice, Bennett is requesting several forms of relief from the court. These include $1 million in compensatory damages and another $1 million in punitive damages. Additionally, he seeks injunctive relief and a declaratory judgment mandating changes to Illinois State Troopers' policies on traffic stops to ensure they comply with constitutional standards.
Bennett's legal battle underscores significant issues related to police conduct and racial profiling within law enforcement agencies. The case will be presided over by Judge Sara L. Ellis with Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim also involved in proceedings under Case ID 1:24-cv-06865.