To the editor: The issue of cops gaming the system for potential massive payoffs actually must be reined in (“Officers are profitable large payouts in ‘LAPD lottery’ lawsuits,” Could 14). On the identical time, the L.A. Occasions has additionally illustrated the problem of bucking LAPD cliques (keep in mind Rampart?), so we all know there’s a want for a system the place rank and file can name out abuses.
The story that I’m lacking in all of that is how legal professionals, juries and judges justify the large payouts in a few of these instances. The police couple who had been awarded practically $11 million due to alleged retribution? That’s numerous retribution. Are these two officers nonetheless at their jobs? The L.A. Occasions would do the residents of L.A. an amazing service by trying into how such payoffs are generated and the way anybody justifies them.
Ian McIlvaine, Venice
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To the editor: Your story on the massive authorized bills on the LAPD buries the lede. Excessive authorized prices are a lifestyle for employers in California. Some would argue we’ve the very best employees’ rights and finest safety for the employees right here; others would argue California is the worst state within the nation to do enterprise in and that one of many major causes is as a result of there are large authorized prices for even minor errors. Regardless of the place, that is endemic to California. The legal guidelines are arrange for plaintiffs and plaintiff legal professionals specifically.
Craig Nadel, Santa Monica
