“The City of Wilmington reached a $1.5 million settlement with the Estate of Jeremy McDole and members of his family that includes a pledge to look at police policies and procedures.
McDole was shot in his wheelchair by police.
The City of Wilmington and its insurer will pay $1.5 million in exchange for the dismissal of all claims pending in the United States District Court against the city and its police officers,.release disclosing the terms of the agreement.
Most of the settlement amount will be paid by the city’s insurer. The settlement is contingent on court approval. An approval hearing will be held before Judge Richard G. Andrews of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on January 10.
The parties have agreed that the claims remain disputed and that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the city or its police officers, nor a concession by the plaintiffs that the claims were unfounded. The parties are settling to avoid the burden and expense that comes with protracted litigation, and to bring closure to the matter, the release stated.
The city has acknowledged in the settlement that the Wilmington Police Department has incorporated in its regular review of its policies and training certain matters addressed in the Report of the Delaware Department of Justice, dated May 12, 2016, which was precipitated by the incident that resulted in McDole’s death.
The WPD has agreed to meet with members of McDole’s family and the Joseph J. Farnan, Jr., a retired Chief Judge of the United States District Court, to discuss the status of the review process and to consider their suggestions.
The city did not admit to any problems in policing or training. Instead, the WPD remains committed to ensuring that its policies and training are up to date and remain consistent with acceptable police procedures, the release stated. The state report was sharply critical of police practices.
The state report was critical of police practices.
“Instead, the WPD remains committed to ensuring that its policies and training are up to date and remain consistent with acceptable police procedures. As mentioned in the DDOJ Report, the WPD is reviewing its past and current training on de-escalation, and is considering policies currently in effect in Seattle and Cleveland that address de-escalation, where appropriate under the circumstances,” a release stated.
The Wilmington Police Department and the McDole Family wish to work cooperatively to promote a sense of healing in the community. Together they hope that their efforts will become a model for other police agencies and communities, throughout the State of Delaware.
