CITY BACKS REFORMS TO CUT LAWSUITS.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer Alarmed by big payouts on lawsuits against the Los Angeles Police Department "LAPD" and "L.A.P.D." redirect here. For other uses, see LAPD (disambiguation).  This article or section is written like an . , two City Council panels voted Tuesday to endorse an overhaul
of the city's risk management program, requiring city attorneys to
report regularly to the council on all claims.
Councilwoman Laura Chick said the new system will allow elected officials to better identify patterns of police misconduct Police misconduct refers to objectional actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties, which can lead to a miscarriage of justice. Types of misconduct
``What this is about, more than anything, is protecting taxpayers' dollars,'' Chick said. ``It is time to put an end to to destroy. - Fuller. See also: End the recurring re·cur intr.v. re·curred, re·cur·ring, re·curs 1. To happen, come up, or show up again or repeatedly. 2. To return to one's attention or memory. 3. To return in thought or discourse. lawsuits. I know my colleagues are tired of paying for the same mistake being made multiple times.'' Chick is head of the council's Public Safety Committee, which joined the council's Budget and Finance Committee in endorsing the reforms after noting that the city has paid out $72 million on litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. in the last three years. Other changes include development of a test program to expedite payment of minor property claims by innocent parties, and quarterly reports to the council on actions of a new Risk Management Executive Committee. The panel also endorsed City Attorney James Hahn's recent formation of a legal unit in the Police Department to better handle litigation and provide advice. Hahn told the council panels that he has already started improving the risk management program, including the computerization com·put·er·ize tr.v. com·put·er·ized, com·put·er·iz·ing, com·put·er·iz·es 1. To furnish with a computer or computer system. 2. To enter, process, or store (information) in a computer or system of computers. of all police claims and lawsuits. He defended his office from the criticism of some council members, including Chick. ``I think they (attorneys) do a tremendous job,'' Hahn said. ``Sometimes I think there has been unfair criticism by some members of the council regarding the competence of the attorneys who do work for the city.'' |
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