Man sues over arrest for wearing 'Police' shirt

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- A Missouri man has filed a lawsuit against a southern Illinois police department after he was arrested for wearing a T-shirt that had the word "police" on it.

Adam Weinstein was arrested in 2006 outside a bar in Belleville, Ill., and accused of impersonating an officer. He had been inside the bar when he became warm and removed his sweater, according to the suit. Underneath, he was wearing a black T-shirt with the word "police" printed across the shirt.

"Those T-shirts are a sign of solidarity," Howard Shalowitz, an attorney representing Weinstein told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for a story in Wednesday's edition. "How many people wear NYPD caps? Are they impersonating police?"

A waitress told Weinstein that some police officers wanted to speak with him outside the bar. Weinstein went outside, and said Belleville police officer Jeff Vernatti asked him for his police credentials. He said he was not a police officer.

Weinstein, a firefighter, said the officer allegedly cursed at him and became physically abusive. Weinstein said he was handcuffed and later released by the officer, but made to take the T-shirt off while standing in the cold.

Weinstein was ticketed for impersonating a police officer, but the charge was later dismissed. The ticket only alleged Weinstein wore the T-shirt.

The lawsuit was filed last week in St. Clair County, Ill. Vernatti and the city of Belleville are named as defendants.

Capt. Don Sax said Wednesday that the Belleville police department was not commenting, based on the advice of legal counsel.

A message seeking comment also was left for Vernatti.