To: Jeff Sessions, Attorney General
Tell Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Mandate Malpractice Insurance for Law Enforcement Officers!
We, the taxpayers, can no longer pay out massive settlements for negligent law enforcement officers. A mandate on malpractice insurance is absolutely necessary in order to: (1) ensure accountability; (2) encourage best practice; and (3) deter misconduct.
Why is this important?
On Monday, February 12, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared before a gathering of the National Sheriffs' Association and said, "The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement. We must never erode this historic office."
Sessions' dog-whistle was heard loud and clear by all who understand that: (1) white supremacists have quietly infiltrated law enforcement; and (2) the American 'grand jury system' favors law enforcement officers in fatalities.
Enough is enough! Police are rarely subjected to criminal liability but cities often settle on civil damages which are paid by us, the taxpayers. This has to change! Here are some recent examples of what police misconduct settlements cost taxpayers in big cities across the nation:
(1) Walter Scott (North Charleston, South Carolina): $6.5 million;
(2) Freddie Gray (Baltimore, Maryland): $6.4 million;
(3) 12-year-old Tamir Rice (Cleveland, Ohio): $6 million;
(4) Eric Garner (Staten Island, New York): $5.9 million; and
(5) Sandra Bland (Waller County, Texas): $1.9 million.
Malpractice insurance is key! It is past-proven for many professionals (i.e., doctors and lawyers). This proposal would shield taxpayers while shifting liability to the insured and insurer. In exchange for coverage, insurers can demand that police departments implement new policies and training, and dismiss problem officers. Congress, cities, counties or states could cover the cost of basic insurance but any premium increases due to misconduct must be the individual officer's responsibility (emphasis added). Ultimately, negligent law enforcement officers would pay more through expensive premiums.
So what are going to do about it? First, by signing and sharing this petition, we are telling Attorney General Jeff Sessions to: (1) stop wasting our time and money with his divisive rhetoric; and (2) implement a policy mandating malpractice insurance for all law enforcement officers. Second, contact your state and local government officials via phone, fax or, e-mail to remind them that we are not going to take these dog-whistles lightly in this midterm election year.
We are what D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y looks like!
Sincerely,
Denita C. Latta
Sessions' dog-whistle was heard loud and clear by all who understand that: (1) white supremacists have quietly infiltrated law enforcement; and (2) the American 'grand jury system' favors law enforcement officers in fatalities.
Enough is enough! Police are rarely subjected to criminal liability but cities often settle on civil damages which are paid by us, the taxpayers. This has to change! Here are some recent examples of what police misconduct settlements cost taxpayers in big cities across the nation:
(1) Walter Scott (North Charleston, South Carolina): $6.5 million;
(2) Freddie Gray (Baltimore, Maryland): $6.4 million;
(3) 12-year-old Tamir Rice (Cleveland, Ohio): $6 million;
(4) Eric Garner (Staten Island, New York): $5.9 million; and
(5) Sandra Bland (Waller County, Texas): $1.9 million.
Malpractice insurance is key! It is past-proven for many professionals (i.e., doctors and lawyers). This proposal would shield taxpayers while shifting liability to the insured and insurer. In exchange for coverage, insurers can demand that police departments implement new policies and training, and dismiss problem officers. Congress, cities, counties or states could cover the cost of basic insurance but any premium increases due to misconduct must be the individual officer's responsibility (emphasis added). Ultimately, negligent law enforcement officers would pay more through expensive premiums.
So what are going to do about it? First, by signing and sharing this petition, we are telling Attorney General Jeff Sessions to: (1) stop wasting our time and money with his divisive rhetoric; and (2) implement a policy mandating malpractice insurance for all law enforcement officers. Second, contact your state and local government officials via phone, fax or, e-mail to remind them that we are not going to take these dog-whistles lightly in this midterm election year.
We are what D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y looks like!
Sincerely,
Denita C. Latta