Suits and settlements are an unfortunate inevitability in governance. However, the LAPD seems to be losing a number of high-profile and high-cost cases recently, with the latest judgment cost another $2.8 million.
The settlements have started to ruffle the feathers of the public and city officials, as millions continue to be spent during the ongoing fiscal challenges.
The latest case came from a previous, multimillion-dollar judgment against the LAPD. In that case, Officer Pedro Torres testified in support of a fellow officer who claimed that a station manager used racist language towards officers. After the case was decided for the plaintiff, Torres was suspended for his handling of a kidnapping case. He said it was retribution.
While six- and seven-figure settlements continue to make public headlines, the LAPD is working behind the scenes to find a new way to track the source and outcomes of these sorts of claims, and is working to correct behaviors that have already cost so much.
Read the full story at the Los Angeles Times.