Police1 Staff Report
(CINCINNATI) - In the past two years the City of Cincinnati has paid out approximately $1.6 million to settle allegations of police misconduct, according to a report released Monday.
Included in those totals were $600,000 to a woman whose vehicle was struck by an officer’s vehicle that crossed a center median in November 1997; $200,000 for the death of mental patient Lorenzo Collins in February 1997; $130,000 to a police cadet who was shot with a blank cartridge during a training exercise; $65,000 to the estate of a woman who died in police custody.
Four police-related matters are pending that could result in litigation and city liability, the report said.
The report was commissioned by a city councilman who heads the body’s law committee, in a effort to determine if enough funds were budgeted for possible settlements and decisions. Councilman Charlie Winburn told the Cincinnati Inquirer that he is considering a bill that would require council concurrence on settlements above $25,000.
City Solicitor Fay Dupuis said the council is notified only when settlements may be more than $1 million. An earlier study showed that Cincinnati pays out less in such cases than other cities of com[parable size she noted.
“We do a pretty remarkable job of settling lawsuits and holding claims to a minimum,” Shirley told the newspaper. “We’re an easy target and get sued fairly often.”