Released on = February 3, 2007, 3:24 am

Press Release Author = Terry McMoore / Urban Resource Center

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = 14 federal Discrimination lawsuits have been filed by
several Clarksville police offices. The lawsuits range form Racism, Intimidation,
Hostile Work Environment, Unfair Promotion Process, Threats etc.

The City of Clarksville has settled two lawsuits out of court for $265,000. Juries
in federal court have awarded three officers a total of $775,000. Several more
lawsuits are scheduled to be heard later this year.



Press Release Body = Major concerns and input from the community on the selection of
a new Clarksville Police Chief. Members of the community & Mr. McMoore have
expressed concerns on the past two Chiefs of Police leadership and conduct during
their tenures with the police department. Also how many of the issues that
eventually rose up during their tenure involved racial profiling, hostile work
environment, discrimination, intimidation, and racism etc.

The time line of past Police Chiefs, Lavoyed Hudgins and Mark Smith show a pattern
that started and carried over from then Mayor Johnny Piper's term and well into
former Mayor Don Trotter's term.


1999 Complaints of racism and discrimination start to surface out of the police
department. Civil Rights leaders meet with Mayor and Chief of Police regarding
complaints.

2000 Police Chief Lavoyed Hudgins initiated a "City Wide Drug Sweep" where 44
alleged African American drug dealers were arrested and one alleged White drug deal
was arrested in this sting. Issues of racial profiling are brought up throughout
the community and in Federal courts.

A year later U.S. Federal judge drops charges based on evidence of racial profiling.

2001 Police Chief Lavoyed Hudgins resigns stating he will pursue other business
adventures.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Smith is appointed Clarksville's new Police Chief. Lawsuits
continued to come out of police department.

2002 One way street signs are put up in Lincoln Homes, a public housing project.
Residents feel like they are being caged in like animals and rumors start to surface
about fencing in the project coming next. Police Chief Smith stands by his decision
to put up one way street signs.

Lincoln homes residents began making complaints of harassment, intimidation and
feeling like they were living in a war zone. One way signs were removed along with
off limits status to the military. Soldiers are now able to visit family members
who live in public housing.

Hangman noose found near black officers' desk. It stayed in place for weeks before
it was removed. Noose is written off by police department heads as a noose for
holding horses. Pace of lawsuits coming out of police department claiming
intimidation and hostile working environment picks up.

2003 Police officer who filed a lawsuit is fired on charges of not doing his job.
Officer appeals the firing and later is reinstated with back pay.

Rumors continue to persist that all public housing residents will be required to
have a sticker placed on their cars to signify that they are from a public housing
area. Local civil rights activist compare this to the marking of Jews during the
Holocaust. Rumor could not be confirmed or denied.

2004 White police officer files federal lawsuit claiming he has endured more than
two years of threats, abuse and intimidation from co-workers because he reported
another officer for using inappropriate language referring to another race.

2005 City loses another Federal lawsuit meanwhile a Clarksville Police department
Lieutenant and Captain file lawsuits against two lawsuit officers and a civil rights
activist claiming libel and slander charges.

2006 To date fourteen discrimination lawsuits have been filed against the city of
Clarksville and Chief Mark Smith and members of the police department by current and
former police officers. Mark Smith remains Clarksville Police Chief. Johnny Piper
is elected Mayor of Clarksville, TN once again.

2007 Mark Smith resigns as Clarksville's Chief of Police along with Deputy Chief
Bob Davis.



CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS RELEASE:

Terry McMoore, Director Urban Resource Center

(931) 378-1999







Web Site = http://

Contact Details = 211 Andrew Drive Clarksville TN 37042
931-378-1999
terrymcmoore@hotmail.com