The Legal Aid Society released an analysis of City data showing that from January 1 to June 30, 2025, the City has already paid out a staggering $77,367,582 in settlements for lawsuits alleging police misconduct.

In 2024, the City paid out a record $206,329,754 million in lawsuits alleging police misconduct. Since 2018, these lawsuits have cost taxpayers $834,065,936.81.  

Total payouts for police misconduct are likely substantially higher, as these data do not account for matters settled with the New York City Comptroller’s Office prior to formal litigation.

“Year after year, New Yorkers are stuck picking up the tab for alleged police misconduct — and the first six months of 2025 are no different,” said Jennvine Wong, Supervising Attorney with Legal Aid’s Cop Accountability Project.

“Many of the officers involved in these cases have been sued numerous times for alleged misconduct – some have even been promoted,” she continued. “In virtually no other profession would racking up lawsuits that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars be tolerated. This ‘no rules, no consequences’ culture only perpetuates the NYPD’s impunity and helps explain why many communities distrust a Department that claims to ‘protect and serve.’”