The City of Cape Girardeau has agreed to pay nearly $200,000 to settle two lawsuits involving alleged excessive force by police department officers involving officer Joseph Whistler, a four-year veteran and others and is facing a third trial after mediation efforts failed. The most recent settlement, reached in July, was for $95,000 and was brought by Robert Teater. The other settlement, reached in 2023 for $100,000, was brought by Ryan Mosley. In May, mediation between Lloyd Gilmore and the City failed to produce a settlement. Gilmore filed a federal civil rights complaint after an argument with police in 2020.