Case: Kendrick v. Chandler

2:76-cv-00449 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

Filed Date: Sept. 10, 1976

Closed Date: Sept. 14, 1978

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1976, the ACLU of Western Tennessee, along with two Memphis residents, filed this case against the Memphis Police Department in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs claimed that the Memphis police interfered with their First Amendment rights to free speech and association when it gathered "political intelligence."

On September 14, 1978, the court (Judge Robert M. McRae) entered a Consent Order prohibiting the police from engaging in any sort of political intelligence gathering.

Thirty-two years later, the Police Department published a policy revision prohibiting political surveillance. It also published the 1978 Consent Decree on its website.

Summary Authors

Sophia Weaver (3/22/2023)

Related Cases

Blanchard v. City of Memphis, Western District of Tennessee (2017)

People


Judge(s)

McRae, Robert Malcolm Jr. (Tennessee)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hurder, Alex (Tennessee)

Kramer, Bruce S. (Tennessee)

Novik, Jack D. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Shea, Arthur J. (Tennessee)

Judge(s)

McRae, Robert Malcolm Jr. (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Complaint

Sept. 14, 1976

Sept. 14, 1976

Complaint

2:76-cv-00449

Order, Judgment and Decree

Sept. 14, 1978

Sept. 14, 1978

Order/Opinion

Memphis Police Department Policy Revision re: Political Surveillance

No Court

Dec. 20, 2011

Dec. 20, 2011

Other

Docket

Last updated March 5, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 10, 1976

Closing Date: Sept. 14, 1978

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A class of all individuals and organizations who have engaged in constitutionally protected activity and conduct, and who have been subject of investigation by the Domestic Intelligence Unit of the Memphis Police Department.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

City of Memphis (Memphis, Shelby), City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

42 U.S.C. § 1985

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Required disclosure

Issues

General:

Record-keeping

Records Disclosure

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