'Staggering' number of Minneapolis cops seeking disability benefits (Star Tribune)

[Odoreida]

'Staggering' number of Minneapolis cops seeking disability benefits
https://www.startribune.com/staggering-number-of-mpls-cops-are-filing-disability-claims/571809512/

The total now is closer to 200, out of a sworn force of about 850 and amid a wave of violent crime in the city.

The continued surge of Minneapolis police officers seeking disability benefits after the George Floyd unrest is heightening concerns of a police staffing shortage amid a wave of violent crime.

Ron Meuser Jr., the lawyer handling the claims, said his office met with an additional 43 Minneapolis cops this week who have retained him. That’s in addition to the estimated 150 officers who Meuser said at a July 10 news conference had retained him. And it brings the total closer to 200 now, out of a sworn force of about 850.

Meuser said most of the officers starting the disability paperwork leave their jobs fairly quickly on a medical leave. The disability claims process can take up to six months.

He said his office has “dozens and dozens” of more appointments with officers scheduled for next week. “The curve has not flattened,” Meuser said. “We are signing up a staggering number of officers every day right now.”

The increase in officers seeking to file disability claims comes as the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) faces unprecedented public criticism following the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, in May. The City Council has advanced a plan that could end the police department and replace it with a broader community safety department that may or may not have licensed peace officers. Voters would have to approve the change.

Meanwhile, the city has been rocked by an explosion of gun violence.

...

[Nevilledog]

1. I bet their police union is behind all these claims.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. Yes, it smells like a strike. Police are miffed by the criticism.

It's getting so an officer can't snuff out black lives anymore.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Snowflakes are melting.

[magicarpet]

3. Isn't filing a false disability claim fraud and prosecutable ?

Surveillance should show whether their claims are valid or not.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. A false DISABILITY claim is illegal

But note in the article that the guys are taking their medical leave days right now, while signing up, so to speak, to go thru the much longer disability claim process.

the point being, there are legal ways to stay off the job, while letting the city/taxpayers experience the consequences of a very small, inadequate police force.

It's blackmail.

[onethatcares]

5. disability claims based on what?

are they so triggered by another LEO taking someone's life they can't work anymore? Who's the psych that's writing the prescriptions for these guys?

[Bettie]

6. So, there really aren't very many "good" cops

in Minneapolis.

If they aren't allowed to murder people with impunity, they don't want to do the work.

[bluestarone]

7. Can't argue this point!

NOW Minneapolis KNOWS just what kind of police force they have!! Need to call them all in and hold hearings i guess! I personally would NOT want to keep any of them on the force anymore!