The nearly $1 million that Denver City Council is expected to approve for Jessica Hernandez's family would be the second largest settlement city officials have approved in recent months to resolve claims against police.
Since August 2016, City Council has agreed to pay out at least $1.78 million to settle seven cases involving the Denver Police Department, according to city records. The elected officials will likely approve the settlement related to Hernandez's 2015, officer-involved death later this month.
In January, Denver officials approved $1.6 million to settle a case involving Daniel Martinez Jr.'s wrongful arrest and prosecution in 2009.
It's possible Denver has paid out more to settle claims involving the Denver Police Department. Denver City Council only has to weigh in on settlements when they're greater than $25,000 for property damage claims and $5,000 for all other liability claims.
Altogether, the city's Safety department — including the sheriff's office, police department and fire department — racked up 1,081 claims from January 2010 through February 2017, according to the City Attorney's Office.
Correction: This story has been changed to reflect that Denver City Council has not yet approved the Jessica Hernandez settlement.
Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
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