Harassment By Police Is Charged

Complaints aired by several youths last night charging harassment by the Police Department will be investigated thoroughly and reported upon, Mayor Robert J. Harris told these youths at the City Council meeting. The mayor asked each of the youths to come to his office and give all the information that is available concerning the complaints which ranged from brutality to the planting of evidence. A youth living at 812 Kingsley said on Feb. 2 that the apartment was raided by three plainsclothes State Police detectives and two Ann Arbor Police Department detectives. He said there was no warrant, that the house was searched, that furniture. was broken and threats were made by police, and that three were arrested. "They had no right to be there in the first place," the youth said during the audience participation time at the close of last night's meeting. He said "we're going to take official action," while a later speaker hinted the youths may revert to physical action against the police. The youth said two Ann Arbor detectives "take the law into their own hands when dealing with long-haired people." Another youth said police Saturday night arrested two youths on "trumped up charges" and said "police harassment has gone overboard," stating there should be steps taken to control the police. Mentioned most frequently last night by the youths were Detective Sgt. Calvin Hicks and Detective Richard Anderson. One charged that Anderson is conducting a personal campaign to rid the city of long-haired persons. Concerning the raid of Feb. 2, one youth said the police confiscated some marijuana "that didn't belong to us." There were charges leveled that the police department engages in planting of narcotics - mainly by undercover agents - and then make raids and arrests. A young lady said one person at 812 E. Kingsley was handcuffed to a chair for half an hour and questioned, and at one point was struck across the face with a flashlight. Also, there was a charge that John Doe warrants are used here, which the city attorney said was illegal.