Long Beach : Lawsuit Settlements Total $4.7 Million in 4 Years

Long Beach has paid out more than $4.7 million in 25 lawsuits, including 10 cases of alleged police misconduct, during the past four years, city officials have reported.

The police cases accounted for more than half of the total, about $2.6 million, according to city attorneys. Traffic accidents accounted for nine of the claims.

City attorneys tabulated only those lawsuits that resulted in settlements or judgments over $25,000 at the request of the City Council, which came under criticism last month when it refused to help a city commission compile information on money paid out in police court cases.

The Public Safety Advisory Commission had requested the information partly because the data could help its members spot patterns that could lead to recommendations about policy or procedure changes within the Police Department. The council at first balked, saying the information is public and available to anyone willing to do the legwork. After community leaders protested, the council compromised by asking the city attorney to compile information on cases of more than $25,000.

City attorneys have emphasized that payment of a claim does not mean the city is admitting fault.

The council is expecting to get a related recommendation from the commission, which wants the city to computerize all claims and lawsuits. “If any business is to be managed properly, that business should know if an employee is not giving service properly,” commissioner Barbara Shoag said.