The Los Angeles Police Department, like most law enforcement agencies, has faced numerous lawsuits based on civil rights violations and accidents caused by officers. From 2002 – 2011 1,000 such lawsuits were either tried to a jury or settled against LAPD.
Our local law enforcement agencies, including the Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico State University Police, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Border Patrol, and others have faced hundred of such lawsuits.
Normally, such lawsuits serve not only to compensate the victim but to send a message to the law enforcement agency that something needs to change. However, a recent report by the Office of Inspector General indicates that LCPD has not taken appropriate steps to learn from mistakes. The report recommends:
“The OIG recommends that the Department review with the City Attorney’s Office the facts and circumstances for each lawsuit where there is a settlement or verdict adverse to the City to determine the specific issues that created the liability or litigation risk. Furthermore, the OIG recommends that training is developed to address the “lessons learned” in each case and that such training is disseminated to Department staff members in a relevant manner with a goal of preventing similar future behavior.”
McGraw Law & Associates wants our law enforcement to always behave in a manner above reproach, and to learn from their past actions. When that does not happen, we use the legal system to make things right.
If you have had you civil rights violated by law enforcement, you need help from a civil rights lawyer. Contact McGraw Law & Associates at:
(575) 323-1529
Las Cruces, NM