Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

Demand Letter Seeks $21M in Damages From Portsmouth Police

PortsmouthNHPD Twitter Account

The Portsmouth Police Department has been served a demand letter seeking $21 million from five residents claiming to be victims of police misconduct and "malicious prosecution."

The Portsmouth Herald reports the letter requests immediate payment of the sum or the plaintiffs will take the police department and city to court, where they allege a jury would award damages exceeding the demanded compensation. 

Police Commission Chairman Brenna Cavanaugh says the city received the letter April 6 and that it contains "very serious allegations."

Attorney Joel Androphy claims that his clients were victims of "extreme abuse and misuse of police power and authority" that included libel, slander, harassment and infliction of emotional duress at the hands of Portsmouth officers.

Former Deputy Chief Corey MacDonald called the demand letter "absolutely and completely baseless."

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.