About Those Punitive Damages
As most readers know, punitive damages CANNOT be paid by the City - it's the Law.
Hits like that come out of coppers' pockets. It has been common practice in the past that - after a verdict assessing such damages - Corp Counsel enters into negotiations pending an appeal whereby they'll try something like this:
- We're going to appeal this multi-million dollar verdict and tie it up in court for the next five years....but if you agree to drop the punitive damages against the Officers, we'll recommend to the City council that they approve this slightly smaller "settlement" and you'll get paid later this year. What you think?
And many times, the lawyers will tell their clients that a fast payout is the way to go.
This comment though....this would be bad news:
- From inside the 5th Floor, the Mayor is saying no deals. He feels it is time for the Police to feel the pain of paying their share of misconduct judgements. This will not be good for us.
We've known a few Officers who ended up on the wrong end of these judgements and it's not a good feeling knowing that a portion - no matter how big or small - of all your earnings are going to someone who had a better lawyer than Corp Counsel.
Labels: from the comments, info for the police
posted by SCC at 12:07 AM
76 Comments:
I’m getting the hell out at 10 years. No way I’m staying, the risk is just way too high. Imagine being sued and having to pay out 20k or even 50k!!!
Any false arrest(RWOC) will come our pockets????
A BIGGER incentive for me to do NOTHING.
Now I'm going in reverse.
An old-timer once told me during my probationary period, as we searched for our car in the parking lot, “Kid, this is the only job where you can be punished for working and rewarded for not working.” Reflecting on his “pearls of wisdom” over the years, I can honestly say that he was right for the most part. This was once a great job that gradually deteriorated under the lackluster leadership of each mayor, superintendent, and significant course changing event.
Please explain this: "The settlement says the three officers will pay in total $625,000. The village said it has accepted financial responsibility for the employees."
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/12/18/skokie-pays-out-875000-in-police-excessive-force-case-from-2013/
Too bad. Toxic environment
Time to STOP doing anything resembling police work outside of handing out a report.
Punitive Damages is the same as Punishment. Compensatory damages is compensation.
" He feels it is time for the Police to feel the pain of paying their share of misconduct judgements."
How about the coneheaded judges that quickly return them to the streets to murder and maim?
In fact ALL city employes to be personaly liable for their errors?
What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Under that sword, you shouldn't have taken the job.
Give the mayor what he wants. Zero proactive policing. No street stops. No traffic stops. No arrests. Let the heard thin themselves out.
Time to get out of here. Actively looking out of state.
A simple google search will show you that punitive damages are extremely rare, and most of th time fold into the final settlement. Not as dramatic as you have written. Punitive damages are normally assigned when an offficer or Detective really did something outside the lines.
This comment alone doesn’t sound credible. 98percent of these comments are absolutely ridiculous.
#FBrandonJohnson
I work for Corp Counsel. This is completely false information. Everything is a case by case basis. And we can appeal a punitive damages judgement.
But will I still get to wear jeans and a backwards baseball hat?
Only make probable cause stops and arrest on signed complaints. If they fight, just back down and seek a warrant for their arrest at a later time. Call in Swat to serve the warrant. The future of policing. Doesn't sound that bad to be honest, easy money.
If that’s true then the officer who killed his partner is in for a huge bill.
As a leo, we cannot retreat! Do not back down.
All to appease one single community that funny enough commits the most crime and murders. Hmmm...
That was then, the article focused more on what's coming -- i.e. the future policy.
Florida is actively hiring and a number of departments offer incentives to out of state LEO’s. They also wave at LEO’s with all five fingers, not just one. Bonus, you might never shovel snow again!
Keep away from.The dumb s**t.
took you this long to figure that out??
well, thats about an 1/8th of this Dept! Mostly Tac bullshit.
Corp Counsel is a joke...anyone can appeal anything, doesnt mean your going to win.
Stop reading the blog you pussy and go fight some cases. Out here pissing away your time on this site rather than growing a pair and litigating against these settlements. Fuck corp counsel!!!!
Punitive damages must be paid by the officer, UNLESS the City or Suburb negotiate into the final settlement, which is usually what happens. Google, Officer, lawsuit, punitive damages.
Don’t believe this. Someone actually heard this? No
If you google, punitive damages are found, when grave misconduct is done. Coercive statements, excessive force,
Welcome to the party. That TIME came years ago.
I cannot wait to go attend that search warrant class at 6AM! 2 days of it! Not on my assigned watch! After that, I’m gonna go out on these streets and….. wait, never mind.
.......someone who had a better lawyer than Corp Counsel.
Not a very high bar.
Including yours
Look up qualified immunity and don’t be a dummy.
Sue everyone for punitive damages. Sol Rosenberg
Um! Just like not telling people you are/were the police, saying you
work for Corp Council is not wise. Corp Council is mush, no balls for the most part.
Thank the stars I survived, retired 10 years now. Got sued 4 times, all BS,
2 city payouts, one for "not doing" the job. I was no major go getter, neither was I a dog. Early on had a sgt tell us, go but don't answer up on backup
calls, later he made LT & demanded we answer up.
The can't win has long been in place, I remember a great guy who got fired
because his partner got cocky & stupid, I knew a few who should have been
fired & locked up but skated through.
It's a game of whac-a mole
Wait until they start suing for the police not doing enough to protect them.
But, as far as vehicle pursuits….nothing wrong with trying to catch bad guy, but when called off by a supervisor and you ignore it then you should be fired and pay punitive damages…what job in the world can you disobey a supervisor, injure someone and cost the company millions of dollars and not be the fired…again, speed racers..,,I am not saying just for chasing, but ignoring a supervisors order to terminate..
You’re an asshole
If they uphold the punitive damages on a bullshit lawsuit like this, then they should immediately stop the search warrant training they are doing now. Because no one with any sense would ever do a search warrant again. Let it all burn, let the savages have it, hell the mayor fully supports hiw own to commit whatever crimes they want.
True if there is a settlement the damages can be written but so far this case is a judgement two different animals normally doesn’t apply as of now and will only change if there is a SETTLEMENT. then the court judgement doesn’t apply
Think of it this way. If they settle they will have to pay the lawyers fees from the settlement probably 33%. If they stick with the court ruling they will not have to pay the lawff the era fees because they will be paid by the officers punitive judgement which includes them paying the lawyers fees
I got named on a lawsuit, 6 months from retirement. I hadn’t been near an arrest in 3 years. Nobody, I mean NOBODY could tell me how or why I was named. This was aggravating to someone like me, who made sure I had a clean slate going into retirement. I cannot imagine how f’n absolutely fetal this department will go, if this happens. These kinds of decisions can only come from people who have no basic understanding of how utterly frivolous the vast majority of these lawsuits against CPD are.
Tell that to the new kids
Why call SWAT?
What makes you think they want to deal with your bullshit?
Spot on. The only other comment is that all the mayors from Daley to this clown were Democrats.
Shitcago is a "free fire zone.
Then do it.
Yes, once you get off the little yellow bus, then you can get to wear jeans and a backwards baseball hat.
Hahahha. The guys sued were on SWAT doing a SW
From a guy that was never forced to pay out!
Get out now unless you have a nice cushy inside spot. Don't risk what you already have or future earnings.
When charges were filed against Hart, Alvarez said the force of Hart’s push propelled Feuerstein across the cell, causing her face and head to slam into the bench, which had no padding. The impact fractured a bone in the woman’s face, loosened some of her teeth and opened a cut on her cheek, she said.
It's a good think she was drunk and lucid or she probably would have broke her neck
In the spirit of sarcastically fantastically and mildly spasmastically silliness, I pay homage to those frisky fellows to whom no barriors impeding their dumbass urgings to not think before they do, not blink or wink or shrink as others boo, boldly doing those things the wise don't do, namely, fucking up their own wet dreams.
I have no simpathy for that idiot cop ! Imagine that being a family member the way she was treated !
Why don’t you ask the surviving family members of two deceased Area 2 Detectives who s estates are were sued, and judgement maid.
Also the 83 yoa detective on same case from the 1990 s. Going after the family members who inherited the assets and property. Ask some of the retired detectives from Area One and Area Four. Look at the jury pool from the Northern District of the Federal Court System.
anyone who engages in search warrants is a damn fool. It is too easy for something to go bad and you will pay the price.
I find it hard to believe that anyone really thinks Uncle Terry was a great superintendent. He did nothing for the department, played politics, played racial games. I would think that the Mayor and Police Board have to announce a national search for a new superintendent and the Board would submit three names to the Mayor. Is this process rigged ? Of course, like everything else in this town. How do you think Johnson was chosen >
Why are there no SWAT Sgts paying? How about the LT of SWAT?
Yeah you must have under 10yrs on. Simply RWOC someone doesnt make an arrest illegal you goof. Unless you're locking people up maliciously or with ill intent which would have to be proven, you're not on the hook personally. Now, if thats the type of stuff you do, you def need to quit
Florida is actively hiring and a number of departments offer incentives to out of state LEO’s. They also wave at LEO’s with all five fingers, not just one. Bonus, you might never shovel snow again!
3/05/2026 07:52:07 AM
Wages are a lot lower in the
Hick small towns, so choose wisely.
Ask Dakuras about punitives.
Same here. 10 years is too long!
Lmao
I’m sure it’s coming in some shape or form, but to my understanding the courts have previously ruled that police officers offer no guaranteed protection.
I still can’t understand why IDOC or CCDOC haven’t been sued on behalf of a deceased murder victim at the hands of a parolee/house arrest recipient. The whole “if the offender was in jail where he belonged instead of set free to kill my kin” type of thing.
Uncle Terry made sure to parlay it into a fat check from Axon/taser after the fact too.
Well the clown did kill his partner.
I have no simpathy for that idiot cop ! Imagine that being a family member the way she was treated !
3/05/2026 04:28:19 PM
You sir are a retard
"Um! Just like not telling people you are/were the police, saying you
work for Corp Council is not wise. Corp Council is mush, no balls for the most part.
Thank the stars I survived, retired 10 years now. Got sued 4 times, all BS,
2 city payouts, one for "not doing" the job. I was no major go getter, neither was I a dog. Early on had a sgt tell us, go but don't answer up on backup
calls, later he made LT & demanded we answer up.
The can't win has long been in place, I remember a great guy who got fired
because his partner got cocky & stupid, I knew a few who should have been
fired & locked up but skated through.
It's a game of whac-a mole
3/05/2026 10:13:27 AM"
You too Sir are a retard. The rambling and lack of grammatical skills have hurt us all you waterhead....
Heres a google result....
Ninth Circuit Appeals Court holds that no federal policy prohibits a city from paying punitive damages assessed against its employees Cornwell v. City of Riverside, 896 F.2d 398 (9th Cir. 1990).
State officials may be sued for damages in their individual capacities in federal civil rights cases, even if they were acting "in their official capacities" during the complained of conduct, U.S. Supreme Court rules. Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21 (1991).
7th Circuit says county must pay punitive damages for official Kolar v. County of Sangamon, 756 F.2d 564 (7th Cir. 1985).
Tom Lamb should definitely be held responsible. Aka, the blonde.
Are you saying if a supervisor terminates a pursuit we should just ignore it and disobey a lawful order…
Punitive awards have been prevalent since 1980
Define what falls under misconduct...
If you were from Gang Crimes or The Mayors Detail, Uncle Terry took care of you. Many of his former unit members got promoted, good assignments, or did not have to worry about getting jammed up. Uncle Terry was a Politian no doubt, ask Chuck Ramsey. Everyone thought Chuck Ramsey was going to be named superintendent, but he was passed over for Terry. This is the reason why Ramsey left the department for Washington.
Post a Comment
<< Home