(BLEA) LACK OF OVERSIGHT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES LEADS TO LAWSUITS

Blacks In Law Enforcement of America

Lack of Oversight in Law Enforcement Policy and Procedures leads to
Lawsuits, Judgments and Settlements at the expense of the Taxpayer

Problems with police abusing their authority are nothing new, though they frequently go unknown to the public. There is no police department immune to allegations of excessive force or misconduct. The District Attorney's office has turned their back while those on the force often band together in order to cover their crimes, seeing a little abuse as par for the course.  But when these crimes are discovered, they often lead to lawsuits.  When the smoke clears, these lawsuits, judgments and settlements ultimately come out of the taxpayers' pockets.

There is an ongoing myth that every lawsuit against the police ends in a million dollar lotto checks for the plaintiff; this couldn't be further from the truth. Many lawsuits rarely result in big cash payouts; they are very difficult to win. Those that do win large payouts are a very small percentage.

To this date, there are no reports on how civil lawsuits of police brutality affect the taxpayers Westchester. According to a 2012 report  from NYC's Comptroller's office, the city paid out $185.6 million in claims for fiscal year 2011. That's a 35% increase over the previous year, which came in at $137.3 million in settled claims. Fiscal year 2011 saw "an historical high of 8,882 claims filed" against the NYPD, with a 55% rise in claims against the NYPD over the past five years.
Why have lawsuits increased against police? Many city lawyers blame a litigious atmosphere that makes municipal governments an easy target for lawsuits. Law enforcement professionals say that motorized police patrol has taken the human aspect out of policing and has created a barrier between police and citizens.  Second, innovative police departments put less innovative police departments at a higher risk for civil litigation by improving police technology or implementing more restrictive police policies Third, police misuse of force problems that have always existed are finally being brought to the public's attention through media sources. Finally, many juries are finding police brutality charges more common and easier to believe. 
In Westchester, it was always thought that police brutality was almost non-existent or it was just minimal occurrences. Since the shooting of Mt. Vernon Detective Christopher Ridley; police perceptions, racism, brutality and misconduct has covered the front pages of local papers and blogs in Westchester.

As a law enforcement professional, it's understandable to use force when necessary. But when law enforcement professionals go above and beyond the force needed, it is indeed a breach of policy, procedure and training and in some cases a criminal act. Any Law Enforcement Professional that is certified by a state with "Peace Officer Status" and goes into any community and abuses his/her authority is no less than a criminal themselves. They have violated their departments policy and procedure and they have turned their back on the Law Enforcement Oath to uphold the law.
Here in Westchester, there have been video, audio and eyewitness accounts of police brutality while police management is still in denial. Instead of addressing the problem you will find in many police departments; management is more worried about investigating how the possible police crime leaked to the pubic instead of correcting the problem of disciplining the officer or officers involved.

So why are these officers allowed to continue working after they have proven that they are not worthy of the public's trust? The reason is cultural and political.  First, many law enforcement management norms and values are formed by the institutional culture of policing.  The "Police Culture" that fosters an "us versus them"mentality. The cops are the good guys and everyone else is a potential bad guy. Whether or not they personally condone an officer's behavior, or the behavior violates department's policy, they rationalize his behavior with minor punishment and the problem is never resolved. Second, elected officials are scared to pass the necessary legislation because of fear of being labeled "Anti-Cop" by police unions when it comes time for elections.
In reality, these costs to government are an unproductive use of taxpayer dollars. Many municipalities in Westchester would be better off using their precious tax dollars on much-needed public services such as education, law enforcement equipment, health care and road repairs.

Unfortunately, you can go into any municipality in Westchester and you will find repeat offenders in the rank and file. Many officers do their work with pride and dignity. But officers of good standing actions are always questioned when police management, politicians and lawmaker's have failed to hold  those accountable who are known to have stepped over the line on multiple occasions. 


Article source: Blacks In Law Enforcement of America