When big cities make a habit out of settling lawsuits, for police misconduct, you have to question the chain of command. Several months ago we heard about the Laquan McDonald shooting and later found out the city of Chicago paid his family a $5 million settlement. Now the city of Chicago is about use more of taxpayers’ money to settle yet another lawsuit where police did not work within the guidelines of their sworn duties.

The city of Chicago has tentatively agreed to pay a $4.9 million settlement to the family of Phillip Coleman, who was dragged out of his jail cell down a hallway while handcuffed. He was arrested in 2012 after he assaulted his mother during a mental health crisis. A deadly reaction to anti-psychotic drugs lead to his untimely death. But following an autopsy, 50 bruises and abrasions were found on his body, from the top of his head all the way down to his lower legs.

After watching the video of about 7 officers walk into his cell, handcuff him and one drag him down the hall while others smiled and laughed was a bit disturbing. The police need to understand mental illness is real and needs to be approached with sensitivity.

Chicago is not the only city to make these huge settlements with the families of victims that have lost their lives due to police misconduct, it happens in all the big cities, New York and D.C. just to name a few. My major concern is the fact that these cities are constantly crying broke and raising taxes but if they actually start firing these crocked police officers and taking citizen complaints about these officers seriously it could save taxpayers a lot of money but more importantly save a lot lives. They are paying out these settlements and allowing the offenders (officers) to keep their jobs and collect pensions, which taxpayers are also responsible for. This is sick and something has to change!