Several years ago I asked a SF criminal attorney who was formerly an asst. DA in a big East Coast city why Oakland had such high settlement costs. He replied that everyone in the bar know that if an OPD cop goes on the witness stand that the City will lose every time. That's how bad OPD's reputation, right or wrong, is with typical juries.
Therefore it's cheaper for Oakland to settle most every time.
Apart from what effect that has on the morale of perfectly good competent cops who are also frequently sued, that is very costly.
(then there was the running joke that John Russo kept a bunch of blank signed checks preprinted for $100,000 to settle any minor complaint that was filed)
Could be the fastest way to change that reputation is to have the Feds takeover OPD. Doubtless the costs for consultants etc. will go even higher, but if the Feds can make the internal changes at OPD and the external changes in the public's perception of OPD, it would be worth it.
Several years ago I asked a SF criminal attorney who was formerly an asst. DA in a big East Coast city why Oakland had such high settlement costs. He replied that everyone in the bar know that if an OPD cop goes on the witness stand that the City will lose every time. That's how bad OPD's reputation, right or wrong, is with typical juries.
Therefore it's cheaper for Oakland to settle most every time.
Apart from what effect that has on the morale of perfectly good competent cops who are also frequently sued, that is very costly.
(then there was the running joke that John Russo kept a bunch of blank signed checks preprinted for $100,000 to settle any minor complaint that was filed)
Could be the fastest way to change that reputation is to have the Feds takeover OPD. Doubtless the costs for consultants etc. will go even higher, but if the Feds can make the internal changes at OPD and the external changes in the public's perception of OPD, it would be worth it.