According to the city's corporation counsel, "[T]here is no formalized notification procedure implemented by this office" to advise the police department about the filing of civil lawsuits against officers.58 Washington is self-insured by putting aside a set amount each year for anticipated claims against city employees. During a three-year period it spent $4 million in settlement or post-verdict payments in police misconduct suits by individuals claiming false arrest/assault ($1.29 million in fiscal year 1995, $1.5 million in FY94, and about $1.3 million in FY93).59 The data chart used by the corporation counsel provides a space for "descriptions" of cases, but few are provided, making the combined false arrest/assault section less than informative. The vast majority of suits do not go to trial but are settled out of court.

58 Letter to Human Rights Watch from Charles F.C. Ruff, Corporation Counsel, November 1, 1996.

59 Ibid.