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Woman sues Indianapolis police about 'unmarked police car' bumper sticker

Indianapolis police officers stopped Pamela Konchinsky and made her remove the sticker.

By Evan Bleier
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INDIANAPOLIS , July 2 (UPI) -- An Indiana woman's $2.50 joke bumper sticker could prove costly for a couple of Indianapolis police officers.

Pamela Konchinsky was headed to work when she was pulled over by some Indianapolis Metro Police Department officers. They were apparently concerned with the "unmarked police car" bumper sticker that was taped to the back window of her minivan and asked her to remove it.

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The 56-year-old complied with the request, but after speaking with some co-workers, decided to contact the American Civil Liberties Union.

Kelly Eskew, an attorney with the ACLU of Indiana, described what allegedly happened with Konchinsky and the officers.

"The officer asked her, 'Is this your vehicle?' and asked for her license and registration," Eskew told IndyStar.com. "And then he said, 'With that bumper sticker, someone could think you're impersonating a police officer.'"

Konchinsky was late to work after the stop.

"It's a joke -- it's ironic," Eskew said. "It's like you or I wearing a T-shirt that says, 'Undercover cop.'"

The city doesn't find the situation funny at all.

"We take every lawsuit against the city extremely seriously," said Indianapolis corporation counsel Samantha DeWester.

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The civil lawsuit claims that the two officers violated Konchinsky's First Amendment right to freedom of speech and it is seeking unspecified damages to make up for lost wages and legal costs.

"Ms. Konchinsky has not put the bumper sticker back on her minivan but wishes to do so," according to the suit.

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