Standing before a bank of microphones at a press conference and flanked by law enforcement officers, Mike O’Meara, president of the New York Police Benevolent Association, pulled his badge out of his pocket. “You know what?” he said displaying it before reporters. “This isn’t stained by someone in Minneapolis. It’s still got a shine on… Continue reading The Low-Hanging Fruit of Police Reform: Toss, Don’t Defend, the Bad Apples
Category: Accountability
Cities Owe It (Literally) to Their Citizens to Reform Policing: Counting the Crazy-High Cost of Misconduct
While many incidents of police misconduct escape justice, victims can sue and sometimes prevail. In fact settlements, judgements, and legal fees cost American cities billions every year. And guess who gets stuck paying? Before answering that question, consider the amount of money we’re talking about. In a 2013 case similar to George Floyd’s, Minneapolis police… Continue reading Cities Owe It (Literally) to Their Citizens to Reform Policing: Counting the Crazy-High Cost of Misconduct
One Way Courts Shield Police Misconduct
When a police officer deprives a person of their constitutional rights, the wrong can be righted a couple of ways. First, the officer can be disciplined or even prosecuted. Second, the victim can sue. Neither remedy works as well as it should, but there’s one reason lawsuits are especially difficult for victims to win. While… Continue reading One Way Courts Shield Police Misconduct