In September 2017, Officer Sean Lojacono conducted invasive searches on two individuals, including M.B. Cottingham, by shoving his hand into their crotch and buttocks areas. The first search was caught on video, leading to public outcry. Initially, MPD issued a ‘letter of prejudice’ for failing to arrest Cottingham for an open container violation. However, after a second similar search, Lojacono was fired in March 2019. He appealed, and in November 2023, an arbitrator ordered his reinstatement with back pay, citing that he was following training and that MPD had not terminated other officers for similar conduct.
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