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Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M

By TChris, Section Misconduct
Posted on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 12:25:17 PM EST
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by TChris

More than 200 lawsuits have been filed against the City of Los Angeles by individuals alleging that they were "framed, shot or beaten by officers in the Rampart division's anti-gang unit."

The scandal once involved the investigation of 82 incidents involving 50 officers and the reversal of more than 100 convictions tainted by police misconduct. Racial profiling, excessive force and the Rampart scandal caused the federal government in 2001 to impose a consent decree on the department mandating reforms.

Only 27 of those lawsuits have been dismissed. The city will end up paying an estimated $70 million to settle the rest.

The average settlement was $400,000 but 30 plaintiffs received $500,000 or more. Javier Francisco Ovando, a gang member who was shot by police and left paralyzed, received the largest settlement — $15 million. He had been sentenced to 23 years in prison after two officers testified he was armed when he was shot. His conviction was eventually overturned.

Taxpayers in Los Angeles might want to ask whether their tax money would be better spent reforming the police department rather than paying for officers' lawless conduct.

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    Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M | 10 comments (10 topical)
    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 01:02:02 PM EST
    Well yes, TL, That city is so far out it makes me look Reasonble, stop the propaganda for drug dealers and come home to the real ideals of FDR, And not the ideals of Fox/bush and business. by the way its well over 200 million and not 70 million. the reason why is most cops are from the third world idea of justice and the people who are getting killed off are people from the third world. But Bush has sold that city to mexico years ago.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#2)
    by wishful on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 01:56:39 PM EST
    Maybe instead of reforming the police dept, or handing out awards based on police misconduct, we could just go to congress every time someone is convicted and have them write a new law that forces the courts to reverse themselves. Then the President can fly in from all over the place to sign these new laws. The country would be better off if congress and the president were kept busy with this, and LA would save tons of money.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 02:23:45 PM EST
    It isn't like LA hasn't been working for a decade and a half to reform the police dept. And, yes, the same sort of lawsuit pressure is the primary tool to do so. NYC is about to pay a ton of money to the citizens it allowed the RNC to imprison in a toxic pier, for instance. The tasering of children is going to cost those municipalities a lot of money as well. The same would be true of the EPA and the Interior Dept., but it is only pertinent if there is a democracy, not the current two-stolen-presidencies DEMOCKERY we currently have. Removing the right to sue the police is probably one of Austrian Arnie's $50 million in special-interest money plans to destroy the California constitution via the initiative process.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#4)
    by Sailor on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 03:09:44 PM EST
    This does seem to be the only way to change the cops' behavior. A DA can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich but somehow lying, theiving, murdering cops always get a walk.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 07:51:20 PM EST
    reminds me of that Mellencamp song: "it's just another day, well it's just another day, beating blacks on the street well it's alright with me, and it's just another day". Thank goodness i don't live in l.a.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 31, 2005 at 08:12:57 PM EST
    Once again, the solution is obvious. Buy a bracelet, and show the world that you care, and that you are proud of yourself.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 06:23:28 AM EST
    Shut up Eclaire. TL, I find Eclaire very offensive and obviously not contributing to any kind of discussion. She/He is continuing to insult GregZ and I'm already having a hard time using my "nice" words. Just my humble opinion.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 11:39:23 AM EST
    Does anyone really believe Ramparts Division or the LA police will ever clean up their act when they get glorified by the fascist TV show, The Shield and by TV opinion blowhards who think the size of their dicks is projected in direct proportion to their praise and adoration of police misconduct.

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 01, 2005 at 12:39:11 PM EST
    I hear you, Kija --the same people crying out about the venality of the television are the same corporations who pander that fascist filth. For the record, most cops don't like cop shows, and in general the LAPD are well-trained. Ramparts is a specific problem division, and there are lingering racist problems in south and east LA (and the Valley). But LA at its worst can't compare with the NYPD or Chicago PD scandals, and the current chief appears to be a good one (Bratton).

    Re: Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Apr 16, 2005 at 04:11:26 PM EST
    We need help here in San Diego too, as on the 4th of April 2005 my Nephew was shot and killed by police in what they would like to term Justifiable homicide. If anyone can help give us a place to start it would be appriciated. We know that this should have never happened, this kid was into non-violence, a poet, artist, song writer, musician, pupeteer, accomplished swing dancer, mentor to those younger than him, champion of the homeless and a very religious person. You can find more on him by searching the UnionTrib under man shot waving fake gun. (never happened!!) or go to jive junction Uncle of Jake

    Police Misconduct Costs LA $70 M | 10 comments (10 topical)