Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to pay sum of $50,000 in full settlement of lawsuit entitled Dorian Brooks v. City of Long Beach, et al.
She has a report from the city attorney with the recommendation to authorize the city attorney to pay some $50,000 in settlement of the lawsuit titled Dorian Brooks versus the City of Long Beach. Mr. Johnson. Well, thank you, Mayor. And tonight, it looks like we're discussing a settlement of $50,000 for alleged police misconduct, although I know it's only alleged. I guess my question for Mr. Parkin is moving forward from tonight, what are we doing in terms of risk management for preventing this from happening again at PD and preventing this kind of litigation in the future? Mayor, our members of the council, Mr. JOHNSON. As with all cases and all settlements, we discuss the issues that arise in this case with the appropriate client, in this case, the police department. And they would then review their training techniques and tactics on this particular type of search and make any changes that they deem appropriate to their policies and procedures. I will certainly, you know, I hope we make some changes and this is only $50,000. But my concern is if it got a jury trial would have been could have been a lot more so. So now to support the settlement tonight. But I think the question isn't the settlement. The question is what are we doing to prevent these kind of issues from coming up? Not just for the money, but also protect innocent parties. So with that, I'll go ahead and make the motion to approve. Second moving second to Mr. Austen. Yes. I just wanted to comment on I serve on the NF, along with Councilmember Neil. This came before our committee. It was discussed and the same question was actually asked in committee before we recommended for it to be approved. I want to applaud the city attorney's office for working to get a settlement and potentially saving the city a great, great settlement or lawsuit. And so, again, I think you were asked a very pertinent and real question, the question that necessitated a response. And the public should know that the city attorney's office, as well as our PD, work to try to minimize this and mitigate this as much as possible. Okay. Thank you. We have a motion in a second. Any member of the public would suggest councilor outside. And please come forward. Identify yourself. Has to be on this item. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Honorable members of the Council. My name is Stephen Downing. I am a resident of Long Beach living in Belmont Shore area. I hope that in accepting this recommendation for a settlement, that you reject the transmittal from the city attorney that serves the city and the officers deny using excessive force. I agree with the recommendation of settling for $50,000 as a good deal for the city. In light of the brutality, the egregious violation of Mr. Brooks's constitutional rights and the over destruction of property executed under the color of authority. However, the City Attorney's Letter of transmittal establishes the city's position that the city and the officers deny any excessive force was used. Judging from past actions, including the recent false and misleading representations and election law crimes perpetrated by the Long Beach Police Officers Association upon the electorate and the continuing influence they have perpetrated and have maintained the status quo within the City Attorney's Office. I fully expect that the officers would deny that any excessive force was used, but it would be a travesty for this Council to let stand the position taken by the city attorney that supports the legitimacy of involved officers actions in the eyes of the Long Beach community. To do so would to would be to denigrate the police department, its leadership, and the rank and file professionals whose reputation and hard work have been tainted by those few incompetents who were able to worm their way into the ranks of the police department and remain there, remain there because of the vested interests of the police union that continues to outweigh the interests of the people. The city attorney's office, since the time the brutality of this case was first shown on that screen to this council, the entire city council two years ago saw it. He's tried to obfuscate this incident, as well as threaten those who tried to bring the scope of its horrors to the attention of the public. The Long Beach Post first wrote about the incident, and the city attorney Robert Shannon retaliated by sending a letter to the publisher demanding that the article be retracted, threatening unspecified legal action if the publisher failed to do so. Shannon was most upset with the fact that the Long Beach Post revealed that one of his own deputy city attorneys was present at the raid, which gave rise to the question that the officers. Had to conclude. I'm sorry. You need to conclude your time has expired. All right. Let me conclude. Now, quickly. I'm sorry. Quickly, please. Okay. 3 minutes. I'm sorry. That's okay. I've been a while. I think we get. I think I. Saw a few other moments this evening go for more than 3 minutes. But I've asked the city clerk to enter my letter into the record and offered it to the press. I think this is going on too long in this city. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Parkin. It sounded as if you were describing something, not advocating something, just. Can you put some color on that? Thank you, Mayor. This evening, the action before you tonight is a recommended settlement. There was no admission of liability by the city of Long Beach. And Mr. Dowling is incorrect. So the. The action speaks for itself. It's a favorable settlement. We recommend settling this matter. You were conveying to us that the officers still deny any wrongdoing. That is correct. I want to make that clear. In the interest of fairness here. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any additional public comment? All right, members, cast your votes. Motion carry six votes. Yes. Item 13 Cllr Cary. Out of 13. That's communication with the office and Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, Councilmember Susan Lowenthal and councilmember James Johnson with the recommendation that the rec to request the city attorney to prepare a resolution in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which affirms support for the accomplishments of Senator Jenny Oropeza.