Police Shootings Cost Taxpayers over $19 Million

Since 2008 the city has paid $18.8 million in damages for police shootings and mistakes, an average of $3.1 million annually, according to figures obtained from the city through the California Public Records Act. That DOESN'T include the recent $6.5 million Zerby award, which the city is contesting.

At a time when cities nationwide are struggling to meet salaries and pensions, Long Beach is spending more than $3 million annually from its $36 million self-insurance fund to pay for police mistakes. That’s enough to hire 36 more officers.

Retired Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Stephen Downing, who lives in Long Beach, said the police payouts indicate a reluctance by city administrators to weed out bad officers, leading to a feeling of impunity among the rank-and-file. Rather than reform, the department is bent on defending its image; giving officers the feeling they can do no wrong, said Downing.

“This is more than dollars and cents. The settlements should be a red flag,” he said. “I frankly believe we are on the verge of seeing the Long Beach Police Department placed under a consent decree. … Long Beach has a history of brutality.”

Read more in Orange County Register's article about Long Beach that local medias are afraid to report.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-538385-city-long.html

http://belmontshore.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/zerby-attorney-requests-da-reopen-case?yPos=undefined