Judge: D.C. police violated officer's rights

The District violated the constitutional rights of one of its police detectives when it punished the law enforcement veteran for speaking to a newspaper reporter without authorization, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg said the city had infringed on William Hawkins’ rights when, after Hawkins publicly criticized an anti-crime initiative, it added a record to his personnel file that could affect future promotions and discipline.