When police officers cause accidents while on duty, it’s the public that often pays the price — sometimes in more ways than one. Phoenix residents may soon learn exactly how much two separate collisions involving on-duty officers will cost the city.
The Phoenix City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to approve roughly $600,000 in legal settlements tied to the Phoenix Police Department. The two settlements stem from negligence claims connected to separate traffic accidents, both involving officers who were behind the wheel while on duty.
Two Accidents, Two Settlements
The first incident occurred in March of last year near an intersection in Phoenix. Court records indicate the officer was driving at the time of the collision. The city has agreed to a settlement of approximately $175,000 related to that crash.
The second accident took place in May 2022, when an officer changed lanes and a collision resulted. That case carries a significantly larger price tag — a settlement of about $400,000.
In both cases, court records show that the injured parties were riding as backseat passengers at the time of the crashes.
What’s at Stake for the City
Combined, the two proposed payouts total close to $600,000 in taxpayer funds. The City Council’s approval is required before any settlement funds can be disbursed. Wednesday’s scheduled vote gives council members the opportunity to review and authorize the agreements.
Cases like these fall under civil negligence claims, meaning the plaintiffs alleged that the officers failed to exercise reasonable care while driving — resulting in injuries to the passengers involved.
For more on related developments in Arizona law enforcement and politics, including coverage of Scottsdale’s automatic license plate reader program, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Arizona prison healthcare, and a Tennessee prison official’s ties to Arizona, reporting is available through KJZZ correspondents covering the region. Other recent news out of Arizona includes the death of a 16-year-old found injured on a San Tan Valley road and a Yuma doctor’s conviction in a $36 million Arizona Medicaid fraud scheme, as reported by Connor Greenwall and Wayne Schutsky.
