To the editor: The issue of cops gaming the system for potential massive payoffs definitely must be reined in (“Officers are winning massive payouts in ‘LAPD lottery’ lawsuits,” Might 14). On the similar 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 huge payouts in a few of these circumstances. The police couple who have been awarded almost $11 million due to alleged retribution? That’s a whole lot of retribution. Are these two officers nonetheless at their jobs? The L.A. Occasions would do the residents of L.A. a terrific service by trying into how such payoffs are generated and the way anybody justifies them.
Ian McIlvaine, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Your story on the large authorized bills on the LAPD buries the lede. Excessive authorized prices are a lifestyle for employers in California. Some would argue we now have the perfect staff’ 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 essential causes is as a result of there are big 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 particularly.
Craig Nadel, Santa Monica
