Detroit- Between July 2006 and June 2009, the city spent $19.1 million settling police misconduct cases.
A Detroit Police Gang Squad officer allegedly caught on videotape beating a suburban college student has been sued eight times and cost taxpayers more than $677,000, according to court records.
That figure could rise because the college student has sued Officer Nevin Hughes in federal court, alleging the officer violated his civil rights during the incident outside a Detroit gas station in 2009.
The six-figure settlements are emerging as the department's Internal Affairs unit concludes a probe of Hughes' conduct — an investigation launched after The Detroit News posted surveillance camera footage of the unprovoked attack. Hughes is expected to face disciplinary charges that could range from an unpaid suspension to being fired, police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said.
In recent years, Hughes has been sued over a beating during the Downtown Hoedown and accused of illegal searches and seizures, falsifying search warrants and assaulting men at gas stations.
The lawsuits and payouts raise questions about how Hughes has managed to stay on the gang and drug squads, despite a pattern of alleged misconduct in incidents dating back 15 years and despite federal oversight governing use of force by police personnel.
"It raises a lot of concerns," said Gary Brown, the City Council president pro tem and a former deputy police chief who once headed the gang squad. "The city is broke, and we're paying out millions."
Between July 2006 and June 2009, the city spent $19.1 million settling police misconduct cases.
Hughes, 46, did not return a phone message seeking comment. Marty Bandemer, head of the Detroit Police Officers Association, also did not return a call seeking comment.
Link:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110725/METRO01/107250357/Gang-cop%E2%80%99s-actions-cost-Detroit-$677-000