$22m is insane. Hopefully it will be reduced on appeal to something more reasonable, like $220k.
On the other hand, there should be criminal charges against the cops.
On the other hand, there should be criminal charges against the cops.
Would you rather the city had to pay $22 million in damages, and take active steps to prevent their city police from engaging in kidnapping, assault, and false imprisonment?
Or, would you rather the city paid only $220k, and it became the new normal?
> On the other hand, there should be criminal charges against the cops.
In this country, the judicial system cannot police itself. Asking police to police police is an exercise in futility, and civilian oversight is nearly always subject to regulatory capture, as the oversight boards will eventually be composed of people who have a strong incentive to side with the police rather than "criminals".
Unfortunately, this probably will be significantly reduced on appeal.
It's much less fine if you honestly believe you could die in there.