Detroit frequently settles police misconduct lawsuits without much resistance by the city. As a result, those filing lawsuits receive compensation from the city, but little is done to correct problems identified in the suits. According to reports prepared by City Councilman Mel Ravitz, the city spent $72 million on police lawsuits between 1987 and 1994.42 And between July 1, 1995 and April 1997, the city paid nearly $20 million in cases involving excessive force, wrongful death, vehicle pursuits, and minor accidents.43 Using court and city records, the press reported that, between 1986 and 1997, the city paid more than $100 million to settle civil lawsuits against the police force.44 Said former Councilman Keith Butler after the Malice Green beating, "The millions of dollars the city paid out in police lawsuits should have been a real red flag that they need to do something."45 Councilman Ravitz has repeatedly urged the police department to develop a risk management program, which the department reportedly did after Chief McKinnon took office in1994.46 Even though the program reportedly monitors officers involved in lawsuits or citizen complaints, with one goal being a reduction in police abuse lawsuits, 1997 saw the largest amounts in payouts since 1990.47

In response to Ravitz's reports and press attention, Chief Isaiah McKinnon stated in early 1995 that he was trying harder to improve recruiting, supervision, and attitudes on the force so as to try to reduce these lawsuits.48 And in April 1997, the police department initiated a new field training program so that new officers are paired with veteran officers who are tasked with showing the recruits the proper way to deal with citizens; city leaders believed the programs should have cut down on complaints and lawsuits.49

Neither the OCI nor the IAD initiate investigations once a lawsuit is filed alleging excessive use of force or other abuse relating to the agencies' mandates.

42 Roger Chesley, "Police training program could cut lawsuits," Detroit Journal, April 20, 1997; Telephone interview with Brenda Miller, City of Detroit Legal Department, May 8, 1997. These figures include all cases of "police impropriety," while excluding high-speed chase payouts; most amounts relate to wrongful death and excessive force incidents.

43 Ibid. During 1997, it was reported that the city paid or was ordered to pay approximately $15 million in lawsuits filed against Detroit's police force for all types of misconduct and mistakes. David Josar, "Cops cost Detroit millions in lawsuits," Detroit News, March 9, 1998. Some of the jury awards were being appealed by the city. Lawsuits against the city are paid out of the city's general fund.

44 Josar, "Cops cost Detroit...," Detroit News.

45 Ball and Ashenfelter, "Detroit police board...," Detroit Free Press.

46 Memorandum from Councilman Ravitz to City Council, January 31, 1995.

47 Josar, "Cops cost Detroit...," Detroit News. Ravitz has also found that, of 1,631 lawsuits against the police during a ten-year period, 106 officers were named in at least two cases, seventy-one were named in at least three, and nine were named in at least five cases.

48 Dan Holly, "Police lawsuit settlements soar," Detroit Free Press, February 1, 1995.

49 Chesley, "Police training program...," Detroit Journal.