A Bill That Would Require Police Officers to Pay for Their Own Liability Insurance; Free Resources
And a look at the truth: We're outnumbered
The war on police takes on different forms. Some acts are blatant, as in the continued increase in assaults, shootings, and ambushes of police officers, which most recently and notably played out in Dallas.
Some attempts to demoralize officers appear less obvious -yet are still harmful- whether they take the form of attempting to eradicate qualified immunity protections, wrongfully convicting officers who use justifiable force, or micromanaging how cops perform their job.
Another less glaring form of demoralization has re-surfaced in New York. State legislators have introduced a bill mandating police officers to purchase their own liability insurance.
The bill is being touted as a cost-savings measure for local governments and a way to increase officer accountability. What it really does is send a message to officers that their government don’t trust or support them. It’s but another form of demoralization.
The financial strain to officers (or their unions, in which cases membership dues would likely increase) of having to pay for premiums and other legal fees that may arise, is just one issue. How many insurance companies -which are profit-driven businesses- would risk offering complete policies to police officers in this environment. Especially in jurisdictions where frivolous lawsuits against cops are more common.
Also consider that New York City pays legal fees in cases involving other categories of government workers. Which begs the question: Why are police officers being singled out while other public employees remain protected?
Here’s an Idea
If officer lawsuit payouts are increasing, as they are in New York City, perhaps it’s because local governments are quickly settling cases instead of taking the time to litigate. Municipalities shouldn’t be eager to pay in cases where an officer acted justifiably. Doing so implies wrongdoing, signals to the public that officers aren’t entitled to due process of law, and ultimately welcomes frivolous lawsuits.
At a time when law enforcement agencies in New York and across the country are struggling with staffing shortages, this bill sends the wrong message.
You can read more about this bill via my new press release for National Police Association.
Free Resources!
Defending Law Enforcement & Restoring Criminal Justice Course
The National Police Association has developed a free course called Defending Law Enforcement & Restoring Criminal Justice. It introduces high school students to the current law enforcement landscape “and seeks to help reverse the change in attitude toward the police which has essentially deteriorated to increasing degrees with each new generation.”
While it’s designed as a homeschool elective credit course, it can also be used for independent learning.
IW Features
Independent Woman recently unleashed its new IW Features site. It’s filled with personal stories from people in the crosshairs of a current policy issue. While most storytellers are (obviously) women, we also welcome men to share their stories.
One man who has already shared his story is former prison guard, Hector Bravo Ferrel.
“At the peak of his career as a correctional lieutenant inside the California Prison system, Hector Bravo Ferrel couldn’t take anymore. Things became dangerous and unethical, he said, after the state passed SB 132, a law that required prison guards to transfer convicts from the men’s prison to the women’s prisons.”
Fatal Falsehoods: Setting the Record Straight on Police Shootings
Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund published an informative report rebutting the false narrative that police shootings are common.
It states, in part, that:
“A 2023 poll of US Voters found that 75% believed police violence is a “very or somewhat serious problem.”
Parting Thoughts
When three-quarters of the U.S. electorate believes police violence is an issue, it’s fair to say we have a lot of work to do if we’re to change public perception.
As Daniel Carr, owner of
accurately pens in his latest piece,“I wish I had the answer. But, anti-police activists are propped up by the Mainstream Media as heroes and the social media algorithms funnel them millions of followers. Whereas, honest creators like me, 2A Cops-Cops Supporting Gun Rights, Roland Clee, Courageous Police Leadership with Travis Yates, For the Blue, Drew Breasy Uncuffed and others have to fight and earn every subscriber and viewer.
(I recommend subscribing to all of these Substack accounts, BTW.)
Daniel is right. Those of us who advocate for police officers and are dedicated to the truth are greatly outnumbered. While our network is growing and we’re making strides, albeit slowly, what we’re up against is essentially a powerful machine.
Yes, Americans care about public safety and support police officers. The truth is that this issue doesn’t strike a nerve the same way, say, parental rights issues do. (Sorry, it’s best you hear this from me.)
It’s why we need more individuals and organizations aside from the usual voices, who are willing to fight for our cops.
I’m convinced one of the reasons law enforcement is in this predicament is because there are police organizations that have continually missed opportunities to push back against false narratives. What else is the public to believe if they repeatedly hear just one version of a story?
That’s all I have for this issue. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. Happy Labor Day to all of you, especially our officers. You don’t get shown nearly enough gratitude as you deserve.
Best. : )
For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.
Thank you for covering this.
Im curious.
If the cops get insurance policies - what prevents a plaintiff from still suing the city as well as the insurance company?
Would the city be totally off the hook?
I doubt it.
If there is a “George Floyd” type incident in NYC - will Ben Crump only go after the insurance company?
Also - it seems like this is the direction a lot of states are going (or trying to go) If they do - how can police best negotiate??
My thoughts.
•Must be a group policy & ins. companies can’t refuse to insure individual officers.
•Pay raises to cover the premiums.
Interesting that it’s touted as a cost saving measure… yeah, for the city. The cops are just going to be the ones footing the bill. I won’t be surprised to see “malpractice insurance” becoming part of benefits packages in the future if things continue in a direction where qualified immunity is abolished.