Four Minneapolis police trainers were accused of using excessive force in civil lawsuits the city settled before they received their current assignments, according to a review of federal court documents.

One police trainer allegedly struck a disabled man in the head. Another allegedly beat and falsely arrested a Black man who repeated a question. A fifth officer, who now reviews use-of-force incidents, allegedly took part in the assault of a man who claimed he nearly died. That lawsuit was settled for nearly $1 million.

The lawsuits were settled without a finding of fault. And many of the allegations date back a decade or more. But as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights tasks the Minneapolis Police Department with overhauling its culture and accountability processes — including uses

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