INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Supreme Court says local governments may be held liable for civil damages if police officers commit crimes while on duty.
The court ruled unanimously Thursday that the cities of Fort Wayne and Evansville can be sued by women who were raped by officers who, in both cases, were supposed to take the intoxicated woman to safety. The Northwest Indiana Times reports that in both cases, the officers were convicted of crimes.
Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote in the ruling that since the cities benefit from the lawful exercise of police power, they also must bear the cost of the victims’ losses when that same power is abused.
The court remanded the merged case back to county courts for potential trials.
MORE TOP STORIES | FDA inspection finds 'insanitaryconditions' at Monat manufacturing facility | Indy mother says she won't pay funeral home until she gets her son's ashes | Road work to shut down sections of I-465 until early October | IMPD officer under investigation, video shows her carrying shotgun & spraying tear gas at people | Mother arrested after 2-year-old son left in hot car outside Delaware County apartment complex
Top Trending Videos
