Fighting Lawsuits
Bring it on!
That's what police Supt. Jody Weis is telling lawyers who sue his officers.
Weis has asked the city to become more aggressive in fighting lawsuits he views as "meritless" by going to trial instead of settling them.
Last month, Weis notified Chief U.S. District Judge James F. Holderman of the change in strategy.
Now we run into the argument that fighting lawsuits places Officers in jeopardy of crippling punitive damages since, by law, the City cannot cover those.
If the cases were heard by competent judges, which automatically discounts anyone not on the Federal bench, we might actually have a fair shake at dismissing most of the nonsense suits. Eliminate anyone residing in Cook County as a federal juror and we're well on our way to putting some trial lawyers out of business.
Question - and forgive us our cynicism - is this a ploy by J-Fed to drum up support from the rank and file (doubtful) or is this another jab by Shortshanks who controls J-Fed's every sphincter spasm, to see a few cops lose big punitively and drive yet another stake into a once great Department (more likely than not).
If the cases were heard by competent judges, which automatically discounts anyone not on the Federal bench, we might actually have a fair shake at dismissing most of the nonsense suits. Eliminate anyone residing in Cook County as a federal juror and we're well on our way to putting some trial lawyers out of business.
Question - and forgive us our cynicism - is this a ploy by J-Fed to drum up support from the rank and file (doubtful) or is this another jab by Shortshanks who controls J-Fed's every sphincter spasm, to see a few cops lose big punitively and drive yet another stake into a once great Department (more likely than not).
Labels: department issues
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
74 Comments:
CAN YOU SAY? SUBTERFUGE...
BULLSHIT, HE IS A FED...
ONCE A FED ALWAYS A FED...
If I may, allow me to paraphrase regular contributor Henry Bowman: "Never, ever trust a Fed".
Simpler and truer words have seldom been spoken.
If, even for a nanosecond, you think such utterances by J-Fed are a show of support for the members of "his" department, you are sorely mistaken. His true colors have been put on exhibit enough times that even a canine could see them.
And for those with short memories, I offer two words of reminder...
"BILL COZZI"
I dont care if the city settles all the suits. If you look at how many officers actually had to pay out of their pockets it way less than 1%. If its not broke why fix it. It sucks that some shitheads get money that dont deserve it. But it sucks worse when a copper has to pay out of his own pocket.
I honestly think this is an attempt by J-Fed to get some support from the rank and file, showing us that the City "has our backs".
Its hard to imagine with so much money to made through lawsuits that money isn't being illegaly funneled back into city slush funds.
A change of subject:To you PO's himing and hawing about the 55 yrs and out I've got a few personal thoughts I'd like to share.I retired with 31 yrs at 53 yrs of age two years ago and have always worked in southside shit holes as a blue shirt.When I heard of this insurance proposition I was pissed."If only I had worked two more years"Was the drum beat I repeated to my wife over and over.I presently pay for me,my wife and my daugthter.760.00 a month for health insurance.But I'll tell you something,when you leave this job,you can feel the the pressure flowing out of your life.So believe me.If your second guessing yourself---go for it.The stress on this job,which you might not even be aware,will kill you.Take the money and run and enjoy the rest of your life.Laugh and look at this bullshit in your rear view mirror
SCC your faith in federal judges is laughable. They are from the same crop of political hacks as populate the county courts. Just higher paid, thats all. And 100% more arrogant!
Speaking of frivilous litigation, none other than WEISel and Kirby themselves lost their appeal in court the other day of an attempted firing of two POS whose case was overwhelmingly rejected by the Police Board about a year ago.
Maybe J-Fed should practice what he preaches, or at least quit speaking out both sides of his mouth (or ass, YOU decide!).
yeah fight because its not your money. see how many cops lose there homes!
Jesus Christ, enough already. I'm no fan of J-Feds at all, believe me, but... you guys have been asking for this for a while and now it comes to fruition and your fucken beefin. Gimme a break already. You probably donr believe in Santa Clause either...bastards!!!!
The city settles most suits because northeastern Illinois has one of the worst jury pools in the country.
Therefore, your second proposition must be correct.
Only a true softball, or a recruit believes a Chicago jury can come to an honest conclusion in cases involving the police.
A huge chunk of our population has devolved to a stone-age level and hates the police as a matter of course.
I don't know - but ask the two Det's. from Area Five about fighting meritless suits. They're about to be $66,000 (each) lighter in their retirement savings.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Speaking of frivilous litigation, none other than WEISel and Kirby themselves lost their appeal in court the other day of an attempted firing of two POS whose case was overwhelmingly rejected by the Police Board about a year ago.
Maybe J-Fed should practice what he preaches, or at least quit speaking out both sides of his mouth (or ass, YOU decide!).
8/28/2009 03:01:00 AM
Is this JK and KM?
IF YOU THINK J-FED HAS ANNNNY POWER W/ THE CORP COUNCIL U R SERIOUSLY MISTAKEN.
THE CORP COUNCIL IS NOT EVEN A PART OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE PEOPLE WORKING THEIR BUT THAT DEPARTMENT IS ALL JUICE.
LET THE CITY PAY OUT! THOSE LAWYER WILL COST AN OFFICER HIS HOUSE.
WHY DO U THINK THEY SETTLE?
DO YOU THINK THE CITY WILL PAY MONEY FOR A GREAT DEFENSE? DO YOU THINK POOKIE HAS ANY ASSEST TO SEIZE IN A COUNTERSUIT?
STICK TO POLICING AND LET THOSE SO CALLED LAWYER DO THEIR THING.
When I heard this on the news, my first thought was that he was following the advice given here. You've been asking for the city to fight instead of having every attorney in town know that suing cops is easy money because the dept doesn't fight. I hate Weis, but your response to this makes me feel like it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. Can we be clear about what we want and be happy when we get it?
What do all of the attorneys in the Law Dept do? When the city still published a physical phone book, there were 100's of attorneys. All they seem to do is lose cases or settle cases. Any cases of merit, seem to go to outside firms.
Myself, I'm thinking of this as an example of the stopped clock rule. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. J-Fed can be right at least once in his life.
Wrong again, my furry friend. The federal bench is chock full of lefties who LOVE to deny mention of gang affiliation or any such 'prejudicial' info because it will sway juries.
Your best bet is to ask for a blanket transfer of all our cases to Milwaukee to get 'impartial' juries
J-Fed doesn't have any authority to determine how the City deals with lawsuits. It's not in his hands. He talks the talk when it means nothing. When it's time to walk the walk, he shows his true colors. Bill Cozzi.
Never trust a fed.
That is truth.
It feds on the just and the unjust alike.
We bitched when the city didnt fight lawsuits...
We bitch when they now do.
We bitched that we wanted everyone to stop working...
Now, we bitch when theres no one policing by our houses.
We bitched that everyone should slow down and generate no revenue for the city...
Now, we bitch that the city says theres no money for our contract.
Thanks college kids for ruining what was one of the greatest jobs in the world
We as police can't have our cake and eat it to. We all would love to see the frivolous lawsuits disappear. We want to see the bad guy go to jail and victims get justice. We also want to keep what we have worked hard for. The attorneys and politicians should be fighting for reform in civil litigation. Not fighting cases that can't be won. Judges let cases go forward without a slice of evidence or proof. The judges and laws are the problem. The jury pool is a bunch of morons who couldn't get out of jury duty. Jury duty should be mandatory with no excuse of than major illness or death in the family to get out of.
Illinois is rated as the best state in the country to file suit. Plaintiffs from other states often try to get cases moved to Illinois knowing the big payout is coming. Cook County is horrible but Illinois is terrible in general. The moron who is in White House currently has, is, and will be in bed with the trial lawyers. The change has to be with the President, Gov, Senator, Reps, and all the way down.
Finally ladies and gents, this is a ploy. The mayor and other pols call the shots on who gets paid. I remember when the late piece of shit Eugene Pinchem was suing over the shit birds who killed that little girl. Pinchem wasn't going to get paid at first. Pinchem made phone calls and the check was in the mail. This is a game to little dick and j fraud. Nothing more and nothing less.
SCC,
Post the letter! It is fucking incredible -- a prime example of everything that is wrong with Chicago. First, at the bottom, you will see the computer path where it is revealed that "DK" actually authored the letter. "DK" is obviously Donkey Kong, err, I mean Counsel to the Superintendent Deb Kirby. No lawyer that is ghost writing for his/her client reveals themselves or puts a computer path on the printed copy. What an idiot! Making it even better, the letter is chock full of bad grammar, typos and bad english......this from a goddam lawyer writing to the chief judge of our federal court. Kirby can't even write a letter. How do you think that goes over with the judiciary? They must think the City is being run by a bunch of morons, and they'd be right.
Holy fuck, Deb Kirby just made the police look stupid. If anyone wants to know why civil cases are up, look no further than DK and her tenure at IAD. She shitcanned every SOS investigation and her ignoring the SOS problems led to an enormous bunch of cases being filed.
Finally, we all know the plaintiff's bar is going to eat the City alive. They've been doing it for years. More trials = more stunning losses for us, most with punitives. This is a giant clusterfuck, people.
He's trying to save his ass. He's been such a failure, in his on-the-job apprenticeship at over $300,000 a year, and he knows he's sinking fast.
I don't care WHAT b.s. he puts out there, I'm not buying it. It's WAY too little and WAY too late. Self-serving egotist.
I don't know his intentions, and given Cozzi, I can undestand the distrust of this move, but what the fuck. I've been hearing coppers say for my 25 years that "the city always settles' "corp counsel is a buncha pussies" "lets fight this shit". Now he says ok, bring it on and people bitch about that. WTF, make up your minds already. Also, be careful what you wish for.
Two Words:
Prentiss Marshall.
or,
Affirmative Action.
Take your pick, then wonder why all the incompetents around you made it, even before that shameful Meritorious baloney.
I'm pretty sure this has everything to do with budget season...I've heard that some alderman are worried about how it's gonna look to have all these big settlements in the city budget when times are so tight, so the administration basically needs to appear to be doing something to counteract that. It's just politics.
Let the City settle. I wouldn't jeopardize my house to go fight a case with a jury pool like the one here.
8/28/2009 03:01:00 AM
The truth is we keep people that almost any other police agency would fire. Not everyone should be the police.
I think J-Fed came here with a mandate from his highness King Richard to "clean up Dodge City" so to speak. I don't think for one second that J-Fed wants to fuck anyone over just for the sake of fucking them over. He expects people to be professional and do their jobs....is that so hard to understand? Not for some neanderthals.
It doesn't matter what he does, he blew it with the Cozzi decision. He should have just tucked Cozzi away in some corner and let it go, but he got rid of him. Now he has to deal with the shit that it created.
Too bad, he might have actually had a chance at doing good too.
What's the point, the judges will not rule in our favor. The city and system does not work. Ask a canine officer if this is true but I heard that if their dog bites someone if while performing duties like a burglary or chase, the city pays the shit-head money who got bit. What's the point of having a dog if you cannot let them bite or attack a criminal who refused to give up. I would say, be afraid if you get sued because the jury are regular people who most likely dislike the police.
Westside, Inside Do-Nothing said... If I may, allow me to paraphrase regular contributor Henry Bowman: "Never, ever trust a Fed".
I am so glad that some of you are listening...........
The story goes back all the way to 1973.....my first contact with the FBI.......they are parasites.....
So Again I REPEAT.........
Never, Ever, Ever Trust a FED.....
God Bless the CPD......
Extra Blessing for guys and gals still OTJ......
God Save the United States......
Retirement is the GOAL.......
Just make sure house counsel puts 35th & Michigan address down for the officer and not his home address! Freakin morons
In response to retired at 53. Does your wife have a high paying job?
In today`s economy people need to work. At age 55 many officers in college.
They have mortgages and taxes plus other expenses. Early retirement
Just puts more money into Daley`s general fund that no one questions. Has the media or anyone for that matter ever asked
Daley about the kickbacks he gets from every city budget 2/3 times a year that goes into his fund that he uses as his own
Bank account. He has been doing this for 27 years.
How much is money is in that account.
I,you,the media, the citizens do not know.
NO ONE KNOWS AND APPARENTLY NO ONE CARES. NO ONE ASKS
GO RETIRE,GOVE. HIM MORE $ WHE YOU STRUGGLE IN RETIREMENT.
This should have been said 20 years ago, it is too late now. Every shit-head in the country knows that they can sue Chicago and get a few bucks for nothing. Chicago should have sent a message a long time ago that they will fight these bullshit cases against police officers so that nobody would be suing anymore. Weiss is 20 years too late and the system is too messed up to fix now. This is not about sticking up for the police, it is about losing money to lawsuits so the Mayor is telling Weiss to do something about it. He does need to earn his keep!
Well this is a huge double edged sword. Of course we should be fighting cases that have no face value at all.
However anyone who wants them to fight every case all the time has never been down there. There is a reason the City pays out. It saves officers a huge amount of frustration, stress and keeps their private things private. Officers involved in police shootings should get the choice......... not be forced by those at corp counsel and the city to fight the case. Being involved in 2 officer involved shootings the corp counsel's office is already using the excuse that they have to fight both of them per our boss. This was expained/TOLD to us no matter what we wanted to do with the case. It's absolute BS.
THE CITY SETTLES CASES TO PROTECT OFFICERS PERIOD!..
We all know that everyone is sue happy. However the reasons the city settles in most cases was to protect the officers involved. Sure there are some cases that the city should fight.........especially these days as everyone is suing the city......but overall like others have said if it ain't broke don't fix it.
A small small chunk of p.o.'s have had to pay punitively. I am willing to bet that out of that small minute number those that paid the punitive damage would rather have paid that than losing their job.
Come on now. We have to stop our constant complaining. We have stated for years that corp counsel doesnt back us by fighting frivilous law suits. Now they are told to fight the BS ones and we are still complaining and getting paranoid. Will we ever be happy as a group?
How many times have you observed a Judge a day or two later reverse there judgement of guilty to not guilty and all of a sudden theres a major lawsuit your party to.
Anybody know this?
Does having a Million dollar umbrella policy on one's homeowners policy cover punative damage judgements against an officer?
One copper insists that it does, because "he has it." (But we know everything, right?)
Another tells me it won't cover stuff arising from one's employment,etc. So say's "save the $300.00 bucks.)
Any part-time insurance agents/retired-on-duty coppers out there that know this?
j-fed is just out to fuck the working police--this isn't about him trying to look good --- its about fucking more police by taking money out of their pockets---i spoke to several states attorney's about this subject and they all said the same thing--its better to settle and give jag off some money--then have to go thru trial and risk the officer having to pay punitive damages out of his/her pocket within a "crook" county court house
If true, the law firms that are in Daley's pockets will se le$$ money. City hall is a cash cow for a lot of crooked lawyers who contribute big bucks to the dem machine.
I'm hoping and trying to be positive that Weis actually means this and will follow through and not blowing smoke up our butts.
Now if he can only get rid of the "merit" promotional fraud.
8/28/2009 06:09:00 AM:
That would explain why I never get selected to be on a jury. I'm continually amazed that the few times I've been called, most of the people sitting in the room with me act like heathens. Loud, obnoxious, slobs. These are not the people I'd want to be judged by if I ever found myself on trial.
I can only imagine that you as the "polices" have a much more difficult time.
ITs too late jody,the damage has already been done.We are not coming back to work.you will fight alone on the streets
Is this not what we have wanted and asked for? For someone to have the balls to challenge these bloodsucking lawsuit-whores by taking cases to trial. Weis has done that. If the naysayers would shut-the-fuck-up for a minute and actually take a look and see the ways that Weis has done some good for this department, I think that they'll see that- but for the fact that he is an outsider, he really is doing a decent job. Jody P. Weis is no punk by any means. Look at all of the shit that he's had to deal with-record #'s of shootings-record #'s of children killed by gun fire- the fallout from no contract-record #'s of police involved shootings- the total lack of confidence by police officers - the media bashing of us, I can go on and on. Weis has not faltered, he deals with it. and screw the $$$, not one of us would say "Mr. Mayor I appreciate you offering me 300k, but I'll do the job for a fraction of that".
IMMUNITY FOR PEACE OFFICERS....
This should be voted on by Congress at a National level!
Wake up people you WILL be hung out to dry if there are holes found by Attorneys while "fighting" your cases!
Who will take the lead on this and try to debate it to put it to vote before the house?
We as police better be prepared to "pay out" more when YOU lose the case the City fought for you!
Narcotics guys...beware! Many Lawsuits over there!
Indemnify all police actions nationally!
Or be prepared to PAY!
Could the answer be Professional Jurors?
People of discernment, rational thought,sound judgement and some skin invested in whether or not the legal system actually performs as it should?
The ambulance chasers & ghetto lottery players are running & crying in their sleep at the thought of such a notion. The leftist agenda driven judges (especially the clout hacks on the cook county bench) should be held under severe sanction to hew to the letter of the law.
We do concede that the very idea could be fraught with potential peril. the system in Cook County/Northern Illinois is so badly broken and infected as to be considered gangrenous. Is there a cure for it?
federal juries are awful, most of them don't live in chicago or cook county, so its easier to give money away that doesn't affect them. federal judges appointed by clinton are brutal too. sadly o'bama's picks will probably also be pathetic left wing lib dibs who crap on law enforcement.
Be careful what you wish for, it may come true. But what the hell when you lose everything, you can always move back in with mom and dad!!!
Amen. Remember Bill Cozzi. This fed is not our friend.
shot a bad guy years ago, he did 2 years in the joint. got out and sued. CC settles w/o my knowledge. i asked why an was told, "What if we got an OJ jury". tru dat
Attention ALL.
One Poster of this entire section said it right, and the latter posts continued, showing no one listened to him/her;
Weis has NO SAY what so ever in city litigation. This is a publicity ploy that he has been pulling since day one .
Attention;
Weis has NO AUTHORITY on this subject what so ever!
Bind this one into every other lie he has placed so far.
City litigations are through the council chambers alone, and thats that.
If you attempt to fight your law suit (as your boss now suggests) you will be opened to libility and punitve damage.
Your Attorney will never suggest this, but if you are sued you have the right to ask them to settle it. Once you do this, they will hem and haw every reason not to, but they must.
This lone act shows you AGAIN where Weis stands; ask Cozi, he'll tell you.
You've been sold out again.
She shitcanned every SOS investigation and her ignoring the SOS problems led to an enormous bunch of cases being filed.
She didnt shitcan a damn thing on her own.... She can dress herself on her own, outside of that, sombody else is telling her what to do!
I don't think for one second that J-Fed wants to fuck anyone over just for the sake of fucking them over. He expects people to be professional and do their jobs....
Huh???? WTF??? Do a "google" search on J-fraud, and how he and his ilk fucked over Agent Wright of the f.b.i. Ok, J fraud, go "Take him out"... I do believe they were J-frauds exact words. I dont trust him for a damned second. I think it was all his decision to fuck Cozzi.
I think that they'll see that- but for the fact that he is an outsider, he really is doing a decent job. Jody P. Weis is no punk by any means. Look at all of the shit that he's had to deal with-record #'s of shootings-record #'s of children killed by gun fire- the fallout from no contract-record #'s of police involved shootings- the total lack of confidence by police officers - the media bashing of us, I can go on and on. Weis has not faltered, he deals with it. and screw the $$$, not one of us would say "Mr. Mayor I appreciate you offering me 300k, but I'll do the job for a fraction of that".
8/28/2009 08:05:00 PM
MOTHER FUCKER PLEASE! Record number of what? Shootings/Homicides-Agg Bats/ P-O involved shootings were MUCH higher in the 70's, 80's and early 90's! “children killed by gun fire”? Gang-banger vs. Gang-banger, that’s it! (There are always a few legitimate victims, but the majority is just plain shitheads!) go research the numbers yourself!
As for your "Jody P. Weis is no punk by any means.", Don’t make me puke! He sold is soul for $310K a year for 3 years, and in doing so, sold out this department! If he was that smart, he wouldent have came near this place with a 10 foot pole! He just likes to prance 'round in OUR uniform, and show off for all his fed buddies.
I'll give him the M-4's, and PDT's (the $ was in the budget and they were on the way, with your hero "Jody P." or not!), and that’s about it!
Outside of that, he has done more to fuck this department, than save this department.
Here's the really fucked up thing: Think things are bad now? Wait and see who we get next!
"Thanks college kids for ruining what was one of the greatest jobs in the world
8/28/2009 08:14:00 AM"
Cute.
You use the same irrational logic the midget uses.
How educated of you.
The City should demand and collect on damages from attornies and their clients when they file frivolous law suits.
The laws authorize this but the City never request sanctions.
Anonymous said...
Anybody know this?
Does having a Million dollar umbrella policy on one's homeowners policy cover punative damage judgements against an officer?
One copper insists that it does, because "he has it." (But we know everything, right?)
Another tells me it won't cover stuff arising from one's employment,etc. So say's "save the $300.00 bucks.)
Any part-time insurance agents/retired-on-duty coppers out there that know this?
8/28/2009 02:38:00 PM
No, a homeowner's policy will not cover punitive damage awards since that is for "wanton and willful misconduct outside of the scope of one's employment." If you don't believe it, then call your insurance company.
In addition, punitive damage awards are one of those debts that cannot be discharged by bankruptcy. Like income taxes and child support and student loans, punitive damages must be paid, even if the amount is $50 a month forever.
State law prevents anyone from attaching our pension but one could get locked up for contempt if one continually refuses to pay punitive damages.
That sucks and it wasn't always that way. The city of Chicago (surprise, surprise) worked to get the state law changed around 1986 that "prohibits" municipalities from paying punitive damages. Now the City quotes the law that they worked behind the scenes to get enacted as reason why they cannot pay punitive damages.
In my mind there is a huge different between something that happens in the line of duty and something that occurs off duty, say after some imbibing of alcohol and maybe involving drunkenness and firearms or something similar.
But the law is firm, it prohibits the city of Chicago from paying out punitive damage awards. The officer is on the hook for that and cannot get off the hook.
Anonymous said...
I honestly think this is an attempt by J-Fed to get some support from the rank and file, showing us that the City "has our backs".
8/28/2009 12:32:00 AM
Ask Officer Cozzi if Jody Weis has our backs. Cozzi has J-Fed's knife in his back.
Seriously, folks, this is a Catch-22.
One of the worst things about paying off a bullshit suit is that you never get a ruling on whether you were right or wrong -- they just buy the moron off and encourage more. It's like you never get your day in court and the suspicion continues to hover over you.
As for federal judges, sometimes they tend to go the other way once they get their lifetime job. I've seen conservatives become liberals and liberals get some common sense on occasion.
Juries are always a crap shoot. Any lawyer will tell you he's seen slam dunks get acquitted and vice versa.
A buddy of mine thought he was cooked when a bullshit 1983 suit brought by a mope he gave a half dozen chances before force was used was tried before a jury made up mostly of ex-hippies. They came back with a finding of no liability and commending the officer for using such restraint. Go figure.
J-Fed is no friend but he may be right here. These cases are often taken on a contingency fee basis which means the lawyer has to front the fees and costs. If it's a bullshit suit, then the lawyer has to cough up the $$$ to finance it and they may not want to do that if it's their money.
Let's be honest. It does kind of piss you off when an asshole gets $$$ by falsely accusing you and they just buy him off.
Maybe the FOP ought to offer umbrella policies!
If the courts start to find these lawsuits to be bullshit then the Law Department should demand sanctions from the plantiff's lawyers and the Law Department or the FOP should file complaints against these shysters at the Illinois Attorney's Disciplinary Committee.
But then again it is lawyers disciplining lawyers, which means coverup!
Anybody know this?
Does having a Million dollar umbrella policy on one's homeowners policy cover punative damage judgements against an officer?
One copper insists that it does, because "he has it." (But we know everything, right?)
Another tells me it won't cover stuff arising from one's employment,etc. So say's "save the $300.00 bucks.)
Any part-time insurance agents/retired-on-duty coppers out there that know this?
___________________________________
No it does not cover you. A punitive judgment against you is a judgment that you committed a WRONG. Insurance companies and your homeowners insurance does not cover it.
One more thing. I am no fan of the current superintendent. I believe the boss should be a police officer and home grown. I feel what he said has been a long time coming. These alley rats and their attorneys need to be hit back...hard.
If you see any opening at all on your lawsuit where it is an out and out lie and it is apparent that the lawyer did not read the case or he went and filed it anyways...hit him with an ARDC complaint.
If there is a judgment against you sue them back
No insurance policy can cover punitive damages...Its the law....Read you umbrella police and it states it clearly..
Anybody know this?
Does having a Million dollar umbrella policy on one's homeowners policy cover punative damage judgements against an officer?
One copper insists that it does, because "he has it." (But we know everything, right?)
Another tells me it won't cover stuff arising from one's employment,etc. So say's "save the $300.00 bucks.)
Any part-time insurance agents/retired-on-duty coppers out there that know this?
8/28/2009 02:38:00 PM
Insurance does not cover INTENTIONAL acts. Insurance only covers negligence.
Example: You have insurance on your house. If you leave your t-shirts on your space heater (NEGLIGENCE) and your house burns down, you're covered. But, if you torch your house to kill your cheating spouse (INTENTIONAL), you're not covered.
Punitive damages are only awarded for INTENTIONAL acts/ misconduct.
There is no insurance that will protect you from punitive damages.
The people who complained about the City settling lawsuits didn't understand how that settlement protected officers. This is NOT a good thing that Weis is doing. Not for individual police officers. It's a way to lower compensatory damages paid by the City and it WILL cost POs money - lots of it. For Christ sake, if you're too stupid to see the big picture about this job, quit.
Is this not what we have wanted and asked for? For someone to have the balls to challenge these bloodsucking lawsuit-whores by taking cases to trial. Weis has done that. If the naysayers would shut-the-fuck-up for a minute and actually take a look and see the ways that Weis has done some good for this department, I think that they'll see that- but for the fact that he is an outsider, he really is doing a decent job. Jody P. Weis is no punk by any means. Look at all of the shit that he's had to deal with-record #'s of shootings-record #'s of children killed by gun fire- the fallout from no contract-record #'s of police involved shootings- the total lack of confidence by police officers - the media bashing of us, I can go on and on. Weis has not faltered, he deals with it. and screw the $$$, not one of us would say "Mr. Mayor I appreciate you offering me 300k, but I'll do the job for a fraction of that".
8/28/2009 08:05:00 PM
=============
Thank you for your interest, Jody.
'He has not faltered'???????? 'He deals with it'??? Like he's personally INVOLVED!?!? For a thir of a million dollars a year, I'd DEAL with it, too.
What, exactly, has he done that is so wonderful? Read a report on the stats going up? Have his minions type a report, responding to it?
Oh, yes, he did push for stupid, Fed-type SUVs that are dangerous for policing in Chicago. And he did mandate Fed-type weapons for all future PO's. And he did go to the media repeatedly, saying Bill Cozzi's actions were the most heinous he's EVER seen. And he dresses up in our uniform like a clown. And if he says 'we dodged a bullet THIS time' one more time...
Your post is too laughable for words. You've got to be one of his political hacks, because it's full of a lot of hyperbole that says NOTHING.
To the mush who doesn't think J.P. Weis is really out to get any of us and is such a fantastic guy...
From the Trib, 29 Nov 07 "Weis was the subject of another type of notoriety in 2006 for his role in the case of an FBI whistle-blower who charged that the agency mishandled terrorism investigations during the 1990s and failed to prevent the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
At a time when Weis was second-in-command of the Office of Professional Responsibility in Washington in 2003, the FBI opened an internal investigation of the Chicago-based agent, Robert G. Wright Jr., according to a memo subsequently obtained by the Tribune.
Written by a subordinate in Weis' office, the memo quoted Weis and another top official as saying they would "take him out" after Wright appeared on television to air his criticism.
Asked about the allegation when he was appointed head of the Philadelphia office last year, Weis said he could not comment on the case because it involved a personnel matter, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Wright, who was suspended, ultimately won reinstatement by the Justice Department, although officials let a six-month unpaid suspension stand
{I'm pretty sure this has everything to do with budget season...}
Actually, this will cost the city money in the short term because of litigation costs. It will save the city money somewhere down the road when lawyers who don't make anything unless they win decide that this isn't easy money anymore.
So what was the Cozzi case Jfed, what was that about huh? Fuck you very much! Way too late! I don't want you protecting me or speaking up for me! You are only NOW trying to support us and respond in a positive way because 95% of us and the media see you for the weasil you are and have banded together to let you and the world know. You WILL go down as the worst and most unproductive Superintendent in history!!!!!
Anonymous said...
Anybody know this?
Does having a Million dollar umbrella policy on one's homeowners policy cover punative damage judgements against an officer?
One copper insists that it does, because "he has it." (But we know everything, right?)
Another tells me it won't cover stuff arising from one's employment,etc. So say's "save the $300.00 bucks.)
Any part-time insurance agents/retired-on-duty coppers out there that know this?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ANSWER: No. Insurance policies NEVER cover punitives. Pure and simple. Anyone that thinks they are covered for punitives has been lied to, or is just plain stewpid.
SCC,
I want to see the letter. Is it as bad as advertised? Please post it.
SCC,
I want to see the letter. Is it as bad as advertised? Please post it.
Send it, we'll post it. We've never seen it.
The corp counsels that defend us in civil lawsuits are actually pro-police themselves. The only problem is that even when they find that the cases that surround the lawsuits: ie: the cr number and the investigations conducted, are screwed up , they cannot pick the phone up and call Weis and say: Hey excuse me Sir, but the investigator sustained this when it clearly was a case that shouldnt have been sustained. They cannot even call to the other level and speak with the corp counsel who is now handling the firing of the officer at the Board and relate how the case was mishandled by the investigator. There is something very wrong there. The entire system needs a look into and a revamp. This is not just a what if or maybe when. This is current reality and fate is in the hands of the Police Board. Lets pray that they can see thru the one sided investigations conducted by certain IAD folks. Lets hope the process is un-tainted and hard working coppers have a fair shot!
That is screwed up when a Corp counsel cant walk over to another corp counsel on another floor in the same building and say: Hey, this is not right. Isnt there an ethical issue re: Lawyers obligations?? DOnt they have an Iad ? I think its called Attorney disciplinary commitee.
Media are you listening? A corp counsel-an attorney-not allowed to call the Supt even when they see numerous flaws in cases that lead to Police Board cases?? SHouldnt they be protecting the city? Some of these botched cases will lead to BIG MONEY SETTLEMENTS to cops who were put thru thew system and go to the Board over allegations that were sustained yet the case was not properly investigated?
That is screwed up when a Corp counsel cant walk over to another corp counsel on another floor in the same building and say: Hey, this is not right. Isnt there an ethical issue re: Lawyers obligations?? DOnt they have an Iad ? I think its called Attorney disciplinary commitee.
Media are you listening? A corp counsel-an attorney-not allowed to call the Supt even when they see numerous flaws in cases that lead to Police Board cases?? SHouldnt they be protecting the city? Some of these botched cases will lead to BIG MONEY SETTLEMENTS to cops who were put thru thew system and go to the Board over allegations that were sustained yet the case was not properly investigated?
8/31/2009 12:00:00 AM
I heard about something like that back in 010. The copper was told one thing and then another, and in a matter of seconds he was placed under arrest for nothing at all. NO EVIDENCE AT ALL. This guy got fucked... I dont know much about the SOS stuff, but if there is any truth to the 010 dist thing, well then I would not put it past them in IAD.
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