In a significant victory for free speech advocates, the Vermont State Police has agreed to pay $175,000 to Gregory Bombard, a man arrested for making an offensive gesture towards a police officer during a traffic stop. The settlement comes after Bombard sued the department, claiming his First Amendment rights were violated.
The incident, which occurred on February 9, 2018, in St. Albans, Vermont, was captured on police dashcam footage. Trooper Jay Riggen initially pulled Bombard over, believing the driver had shown him the middle finger. After a brief exchange, Bombard was allowed to leave but was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct when he repeated the gesture and used profanity as he drove away.
Although the prosecution eventually dropped the charges, Bombard filed a civil suit with support from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The lawsuit argued that the traffic stop and arrest were unnecessary and retaliatory, violating Bombard’s constitutional rights.
The settlement includes $100,000 in damages for Bombard and $75,000 for his attorney’s fees. Bombard expressed hope that this outcome would lead to better training for troopers to avoid silencing criticism or making baseless traffic stops.
FIRE senior attorney Jay Diaz emphasized that “cursing at cops isn’t a crime,” and that the Constitution protects speech even when it’s offensive to law enforcement. The ACLU of Vermont staff attorney Hillary Rich added that police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights, even for things they consider insulting.
This case has reignited discussions about the limits of free speech in interactions with law enforcement and the need for police accountability. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the role and authority of police in communities, with some advocates calling for a reduction in the “footprint and broad authority of police.”
As this settlement sets a precedent, it may influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, potentially leading to increased awareness and protection of citizens’ First Amendment rights during encounters with law enforcement.
Dailymail.com
