$Should Police Departments Pay More?$
A woman in Madison Wisconsin named "Patty" is receiving $35,000 from the Madison Police department. She was a sexual assault victim in 1997, in which the police department did not take seriously. She even said their investigation techniques were quick and unethical at times. The police were even guilty of not believing her story. Now fifteen years later restitution is being re-payed to Patty for legal fees, and lost wages. A new resolution is being put together in the Madison Police agency that is suppose to take sensitive crimes like rape more serious.
Advocates for sexual assault were at the meeting in which the members voted 15-2 for the resolution. The advocates are happy this is going through, and see it as progress toward the war on sexual assault. Others who voted against paying out the $35,000 disagree because they know of cases where victims will want their money as well. The advocates disagree and say the money is only a small part of the heeling process, and shows that the department is not only sorry, but took physical action by paying the $35,000.
I understand and see both sides of this particular case. A woman was sexually assaulted and in need of the police department's help. They failed her by not believing her, and following up on the case. Yes I do believe she deserves some sort of compensation, but maybe not so much all monetarily. Maybe the departments should only have to pay for; legal fees, lost wages, and any money she paid for therapy.
This is a case where I think the police department was fair, and both sides should be able to go their separate ways, happily. On the other hand, I totally disagree with police departments paying out thousands and even millions of dollars to those who were wronged in some way. Most of the money police agencies get is from the citizens in the form of taxes. The excessive money given to victims could maybe be put toward making the communities safer.
These our just some of my thoughts, now lets hear yours.
I would not call $35,000 excessive, by any means. That department lucked out in that case. The woman's loss of self-esteem, the therapy that it will take to help her cope with her trauma, her loss of faith in the abilities of the people who are supposed to protect us and bring about justice when we are wronged, and her overall loss of dignity and quality of life are worth well over $35,000 she was given. You state that the department did not want to pay her because they feared it would bring forward more people who might feel that they deserve reparations from the department for possible wrongdoing. I say that if the department was negligent in the manner in which they have handled the victims, they are obligated to pay.
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