April 28, 2015
Tanya Brown-Dickerson filed a class-action lawsuit on Monday for all citizens abused by Philadelphia police, Philly.com reports.
Brown-Dickerson is the mother of Brandon Tate-Brown, who died after he was shot by police during a traffic stop in December. Police said that Tate-Brown had reached for a loaded gun.
District Attorney Seth Williams did not pursue charges against the two officers involved in the incident. Their names were withheld. Williams called the incident a terrible tragedy but not a crime, citing evidence acquired in the case.
The lawsuit calls for reforms based on a report by the U.S. Justice Department, which noted "serious deficiencies" in the Philadelphia Police Department regarding its use of violence.
Brown-Dickerson's attorney, Brian Mildenberg, told Philly.com that he hoped the lawsuit would push the release of the names of the officers involved and promote transparency in the department.
