Crime keeps coming down, but claims against the NYPD keep going up.
A “historical high” of 8,882 claims were filed against the Police Department in fiscal 2011, up from 8,110 the previous year, according to a report issued yesterday by Comptroller John Liu.
Payouts to settle lawsuits against cops also increased last year to $185.6 million from $137.3 million in 2010.
The 44th Precinct in The Bronx registered 330 claims, or 16 per 100 crime complaints, the most in the city. Overall, the city paid out $550.4 million to settle tort cases, compared to $522 million in 2010.
Taxpayers shelled out another $135.9 million to get rid of other types of lawsuits, including from contractors and from parents who sued in special-education cases.
“Police officers make more than 23 million contacts with the public each year and cope with incredibly difficult situations on a daily basis,” said mayoral spokesman John McCarthy.
“The decision to settle a lawsuit is not an indication of wrongdoing by the police officer or officers involved.”
Republished with permission of The New York Post
