Boy's family sues Calumet City police

Calumet City--which is 52% African American--has a 90% White police force.

The family of a 15-year-old boy allegedly beaten by a Calumet City police officer filed a lawsuit against the officer and the city in federal court Thursday. Don Pennington Jr., who was charged with two counts of aggravated battery against a police officer Aug. 26 after he was detained for jaywalking, alleged he was beaten at the police station by Officer Louis Picicco while approximately five unknown officers stood by. The suit, which names Picicco, the unknown officers and the city as defendants, seeks unspecified damages for excessive force and assault and battery. Vicki Pennington, Don Pennington's mother, said she finds it hard to believe any information that comes from the Police Department and expects the entire incident to be swept under the rug. "How is the Police Department going to investigate itself?" she said. Protesters Wednesday night tied the alleged beating to a lack of minority officers in the department. About 52 percent of Calumet City's population is black, while about 10 percent of the department's officers are black, O'Meara said. [more