Minneapolis is self-insured, and settlements and awards against the police are paid out of the police department's budget according to the city solicitor's office, although there are plans to change the current system.60 Payments are made following authorization from the City Council, which usually agrees to settlements rather than going to trial. A representative from the city solicitor's office told Human Rights Watch that any improvements at the police department stem from big lawsuits.

In lawsuits alleging excessive force and/or false arrest, the total amount for settlements and judgments in police misconduct cases were, by calendar year: $570,000 in 1993; $1,367,680 in ten cases (involving eight on duty officers and two while working off duty as security guards) for 1994; and $1,390,000 in nine cases (seven on duty, one off duty, and one off duty working in a security capacity) in 1995.61

60 Telephone interviews, Larry Warren, city solicitor's office, December 5, 1996 and October 28, 1997.

61 Telephone interviews, Larry Warren, city solicitor's office, December 5, 1996 and October 28, 1997. At the time of our request in late 1997, 1996 figures had not been compiled.