From WPIX/AP:Nearly $1 billion has been paid over the past decade to resolve claims against the nation's largest police department, according to an investigation by The Associated Press. Some smaller departments also shell out tens of millions a year in payouts, but New York's spending on police claims dwarfs that of any other U.S. city.
Taxpayers foot the bill — New York officials say the payments cost less than insurance would, and officers themselves don't usually bear personal responsibility.
The $964 million in payouts covers everything from brutality cases to patrol-car wrecks to stationhouse accidents, and it includes settlements and trial awards. Some police officers have been sued again and again — including one officer at least seven times on excessive force and brutality claims. Some law firms have made it their primary business to sue the city.
City lawyers call the payouts a hard-fought cost of policing a metropolis of 8.3 million people — a price officials work to minimize through officer training and discipline. And the city has prevailed in thousands of cases, including some deadly shootings.
"We're not pushovers," said Fay Leoussis, one of the city's chief lawyers.
But the city is literally paying for police mistakes without learning from them, critics say. In cases like the 50-bullet shooting, the city pays even when officers are acquitted of criminal charges and don't admit wrongdoing.
"Right now it's open season against the city. Just file a lawsuit, and you're going to get money," said City Council member Peter Vallone, who has sponsored a bill he hopes will make it impossible to pay out dubious claims. "Everyone makes out — except the taxpayer."
14 comments:
That's what happens when you live in a sue-happy society.
Need residency requirement for cops. They'll care more and be less trigger-happy if they are patrolling their own city.
That's what happens when you train people to be para-military instead of "peace officers" and lower the enrollment requirements to 75 IQ and a pulse.
There are people that make a professional living from suing the NYPD and you would think the NYPD would smarten up...It would be save the tax payers money to put a lawyer in every precinct even going out with NYPD.
This is what happens when enrollment requires college credits. Book smart does not equal street smart.
This is what happens when enrollment requires college credits. Book smart does not equal street smart.
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Yes, the last thing we need is to have people who are paid to enforce the law to have an understanding of the laws they enforce.
Thats the part that has always surprised me. We have some of the most complex laws in the world, yet we hire thugs to enforce them.
Need residency requirement for cops. They'll care more and be less trigger-happy if they are patrolling their own city.
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Unfortunately there isn't any evidence to support that theory. Twelve years ago, everyone said there should be higher standards to become a cop, and that cops should have a college education. There has been a college/military requirement in place now for well over a decade, and there doesn't seem to be any improvement in the quality of recruits the police dept attracts.
There are people that make a professional living from suing the NYPD and you would think the NYPD would smarten up...It would be save the tax payers money to put a lawyer in every precinct even going out with NYPD.
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There are officers that make a living from violating the rights of unwitting citizens, illegally kidnapping people, placing them in HORRIFIC/UNSANITARY enviorments and facing no repercussions.
Basically cops do their 25 years then retire and for the most part they ruin peoples lives and make a living off of that. What other job in the world do you get promotions for putting people in cages?
Basically cops do their 25 years then retire and for the most part they ruin peoples lives and make a living off of that. What other job in the world do you get promotions for putting people in cages?
It's only 20 years. Get it right, you fucking ignoramus.
THe corp. council doesn't have the manpower (or balls) to take most cases to court,they settle......
Try living in any major US city without police protection, the animals would tear the place to pieces. I think the majority of police officers are good, honest people who make our lives safer. It's true there are bad apples in every profession but most cops are decent people. I can't believe the bullshit they need to put up with.
police are only good for shooting and arresting other criminals. Otherwise they're just bad people. Dogcatchers.
Don't forget the lawsuits vs Dept of Education - those wonders we hire to teach our kids, strippers, pedophiles, sex deviants, thieves, etc, etc the list goes on and on
The city is full of savages, what do you expect.
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