Lawsuit filed against Burbank Police Dept.

DOWNTOWN (5:26 p.m.) — A seventh member of the Burbank Police Department filed a lawsuit against the city and members of the department in federal court Tuesday, alleging that his civil rights were violated by a rogue group of cops who used intimidation, harassment and brutality to keep him and witnesses from talking about several investigations.

Burbank Police Det. Angelo Dahlia alleged that high-ranking members of the department investigating the 2007 robbery of Porto’s Bakery assaulted and beat witnesses and suspects “under the color of authority,” according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. Central District Court.

When Dahlia took his complaints up the chain of command he was told to “stop his sniveling,” and later intimidated and threatened, the lawsuit claims.

As his superiors worried about reprisal from an internal and then later an FBI investigation, intimidation and threats mounted, Dahlia claims.

His attorney, Dieter C. Dammeier could not immediately be reached to comment.

The lawsuit brings to eight the total number of current and former officers suing the city for everything from a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation, to unlawful demotions or firings.

These are a new set of allegations related to cases already being investigated, city spokesman Keith Sterling said in a statement Thursday. As with all serious charges, it is important for the investigations to be completed, he said.

FBI officials in September confirmed that they were investigating allegations of excessive use-of-force and civil rights violations by officers.

The city brought in an outside attorney and investigator to conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation and abuse of force, officials said.

Outgoing Police Chief Tim Stehr requested the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department conduct its own investigation.

Check back for updates to this developing story.