Ben Johnson has been a Rockford Police Department officer since February 2005.

In January of 2006, Johnson was the subject of an excessive force complaint and federal lawsuit by Rockford community member Paris Gardner.

Paris, who had his arm amputated in 1981, was on the wrong end of a noise complaint made to the Rockford Police Department.

Ben Johnson would be the responding officer. On his first visit, Johnson gave Paris a warning.

When Johnson returned, however, he had a much different attitude. In court depositions, Paris recounted that Johnson exited his squad car immediately yelling for Paris to get down on the ground. Paris said this startled him and Johnson gave him no time to comply.

Johnson ran up to Paris, grabbed him by the arm, and pepper-sprayed him in the face. Johnson pulled and slammed Paris for resisting arrest for a noise complaint. Paris Gardner filed an excessive force complaint to the Rockford Police Department.

After an internal affairs investigation, Johnson was cleared of any wrongdoing, with the only admonishment given being told he should park around the block instead of in front of the accused house.

Paris immediately filed a civil lawsuit. A settlement was reached six years after the initial abuse. Gardner won $205,000 from the City of Rockford.

On February 6th, 2019, Johnson responded to the shooting of Randy Pierson by then Rockford Police Officer Timothy Stec on Highway 20.

Johnson blocked traffic from coming to the scene.

In 2019, Johnson made $82,262 in salary + $3,857 in overtime = $86,129 + $25,155 in health insurance + $30,497 pension pay.

In 2020, they made $88,003 in salary + $3,356 in overtime = $91,359 + $25,155 in health insurance + $33,025 in pension pay.

In 2021, they made $100,457 in salary + $3,355 in overtime = $103,811 + $24,180 in health insurance + $34,932 in pension pay.

In 2022, they made $101,465 in salary + $8,345 in overtime = $109,810 + $25,350 in health insurance + $39,700 in pension pay.

In 2023, they made $109,838 in salary + $11,633 in overtime = $121,472 + $25,350 in health insurance + $46,059 in pension pay.

In 2024, they made $101,736 in salary + $11,561 in overtime = $113,297 + $26,325 in health insurance + $52,059 in pension pay.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, harassed or otherwise mistreated by this officer please email us with the officers name in the subject.