Religious Infringement Is Basis of Suit Against Minneapolis

An organizational psychologist contracted by the Minneapolis Police Department filed a federal civil rights suit against the city of Minneapolis last week. Michael Campion had undertaken contracted work with the city in 2005 evaluating new hires to the city's police force. Campion has filed a similar suit against Springfield, Ill.

In 2006, the Minneapolis Police Community Relations Council raised questions about Campion's position on the board of the Illinois Family Institute, a group that opposes homosexuality, and a paper Campion wrote that discussed "curing" homosexuals. The PCRC also raised concerns that the process of contracting a psychologist did not involve an open request for proposals.

The PCRC set up a meeting with Campion to discuss the questions raised by his affiliation. It didn't go well.

PCRC member Ron Edwards said at an August meeting, "He was arrogant and disrespectful. His philosophy: It is quite clear that he has a problem with gays, lesbians and people of color. Why does the city have a relationship with him?"

Several other committee members agreed that Campion was not responsive to the council's concerns. "He was incredibly disrespectful. When I asked him how he can divorce himself from his own beliefs, he said that we'll have to trust him," said member Rebecca Waggoner Kloek.

Campion's contract was suspended in August 2006 while the MPD conducted an evaluation of Campion's work. The MPD found no evidence of bias in Campion's screening of potential new police officers.

Campion's contract was not renewed at the end of 2006 when the city decided to hire a different contractor.

Campion's lawsuit, filed last week, alleges that that process infringed on his freedom of association. The complaint alleges that Campion and his firm suffered "irreparable injury to their constitutional rights" because of the actions of the city, and caused "embarrassment, personal humiliation, and mental anguish and distress," according to documents filed with the court. Campion is seeking unspecified damages.

Campion is represented by the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian law firm that is opposed to abortion, civil rights for LGBT people and sex education in schools. Campion is also represented by the Minneapolis law firm Mohrman & Kaardal, whose other notable clients include the Republican Party of Minnesota, the Biblical Institute for Leadership, Minnesota Taxpayers League and TCF Bank.