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* WTTW last month…
Cases that involved at least one officer with repeated claims of misconduct accounted for nearly 43% of the cost borne by taxpayers to resolve police misconduct cases between 2019 and 2023, according to the analysis.
In 2023 alone, the city spent $34.4 million to resolve lawsuits that named officers whose alleged misconduct more than once cost Chicago taxpayers money, accounting for approximately 40% of the total cost to taxpayers, according to WTTW News’ analysis.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Law, led by Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson Lowry, told WTTW News in January that a new legal case management system designed to provide officials with “better data and analysis” was scheduled to launch in March.
However, that system has yet to be implemented, five months later.
I don’t see how a city with these (and lots more) preventable spending problems can come to the state with a straight face and ask for a budget bailout.
Lots more in that story, so go read the rest if you have time.
* Sun-Times yesterday…
Veteran Chicago Police Lt. Andrew Dakuras has been named as a defendant in at least five misconduct lawsuits that, together, have cost Chicago taxpayers nearly $10.5 million.
He’s been the subject of 82 misconduct complaints — more complaints than 99% of all Chicago police officers — according to a tally compiled by the Invisible Institute.
Another $332,500 soon could be added to that dubious settlement tally.
The City Council’s Finance Committee will be asked Wednesday to authorize that settlement to Jeanette Bass, a former Gold Coast resident who claims she was arrested, physically and emotionally abused and involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric ward because of alleged misconduct by Dakuras.
The bizarre incident occurred on June 23, 2019 at Bass’ condominium at 260 E. Chestnut.
Again, go read the rest.
* Meanwhile…
The city of Chicago spent $129 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department during the first six months of 2024 — nearly 30% more than the Chicago City Council set aside for police overtime as part of the city’s 2024 budget, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
This means the city is on pace to spend at least $258 million on police overtime by the end of the year
That’s a quarter of the city’s projected budget deficit next year.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 1:36 pm
Previous Post: Yet another sour note for the White Sox
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DoL’s case management software has been nuts for years. However, even if you could wave a wand and give the City the best analytics tools in the world, it would be years to see any costs savings if there even are any.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 2:57 pm
Aren’t “run government like a business” types always telling us to stack rank government employees and fire the worst 10%?
With police officers I actually feel like there’s some real improvements to be made with that policy.
Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 2:59 pm
Better police, like better teachers, will cost more money, not less.
Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:12 pm
==Better police, like better teachers, will cost more money, not less==
This story identifies one place where money can be found to at least pay for a few more “better” police.
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:42 pm
Another reason LEO’s should have to get their own self-insurance for work conduct, instead of the city covering that. The increasing premiums self-filter-out the useless and criminal ones.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:46 pm
===Better police, like better teachers, will cost more money===
Average CPD salary was north of $107K in 2022.
Average CPS teacher salary was a bit more than $83K in 2023.
Source: https://cgfa.ilga.gov/Upload/Small%20Systems%202024.pdf/Small%20Systems%202024.pdf
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:51 pm
In August, two Chicago cops and a prosecutor were indicted for overtime fraud.
Earlier this year, a 6th Boston police officer was sentenced for an overtime fraud scheme and in 2022, 54 California Highway Patrol officers were indicted for an overtime fraud scheme.
Back to Chicago, the IG did an audit in 2017 that found that CPD did not prevent unnecessary overtime, did not deter abuse of overtime, and paid out overtime without being in compliance with departmental rules and procedures. Three years later, the department had only fully implemented 2 of 13 recommendations for improvement.
https://igchicago.org/publications/chicago-police-department-overtime-controls-audit-follow-up-inquiry/
Sounds like police overtime is rife for a look by the US Attorney.
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 4:03 pm
=Another reason LEO’s should have to get their own self-insurance for work conduct, instead of the city covering that.=
Nice concept but it wouldn’t fly legally as they’re agents of the city. Now perhaps the law could be tweaked for individual civil liability under egregious circumstances, but that would be nearly impossible.
The answer is better trained cops and a disciplinary process with teeth in it. It’s beyond comprehension how someone could be promoted to Lieutenant, a leadership position, with that kind of history. If department leadership is this incompetent it creates no confidence in the rank and file. The citizens deserve better.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 4:27 pm
How can a cop amass 82 complaints and not be fired? These are self inflicted wounds. Time for the city to sack up and fire these clowns. Blank the union and stand up for good policing. Oh wait, Democrats are in charge. Never mind.
Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 4:31 pm
But lest anyone think it’s only Chicago that’s afraid to crack down on the abuse and mismanagement of overtime by police, Los Angeles and New York are facing the same problems.
In NYC, police overtime costs rose even when the department’s headcount rose, a trend not seen in any other city department, and NYPD regularly doubles its budgeted overtime, indicating is purposefully underbudgeting.
https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/nypd-overspending-on-overtime-grew-dramatically-in-recent-years/
Similarly in Los Angeles, the police regularly blow their overtime budget and are the biggest overspending city department.
https://laist.com/news/politics/los-angeles-faces-budget-shortfall
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 4:31 pm