Opinion ID: 407955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Granting of Punitive Damages

Text: 15 Appellants next claim that punitive damage awards against the individual defendants were inappropriate. Punitive damages in civil rights actions may be imposed only if the conduct that violates the plaintiff's constitutional rights is malicious, wanton, or oppressive. Appellants claim that their conduct, at worst, involved merely mistakes or errors and not a wanton disregard or indifference toward Thomas' constitutional rights. Yet at trial, Police Department officials testified that the grievance and investigatory procedures used within the Department at that time were officially known to be ineffective in protecting the rights of the complaining officers. 16 Further, officers involved in the administrative investigation of these issues also skirted some of the internal control mechanisms that might have preserved the impartiality and objectivity of the investigations that led ultimately to Officer Thomas' dismissal. The normal procedure when an internal investigation begins is for the investigating officers to contact the Internal Affairs Department (IAD). IAD assigns the investigation a file number, and monitors the investigation to confirm that established procedures are being followed. The IAD, however, never established a file to monitor the investigation of Thomas' complaints against his partner. Even in the absence of direct evidence proving the wanton nature of the defendants' actions, there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable jury finding of reckless disregard for Thomas' rights. Thus the jury was within its province in awarding punitive damages. Johnson v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., 421 U.S. 454, 459-60, 95 S.Ct. 1716, 1719-20, 44 L.Ed.2d 295 (1975); Mansell v. Saunders, 372 F.2d 573, 576 (5th Cir. 1967). 17 The size of the punitive damage award is also within reasonable bounds. Exemplary damages inherently involve an evaluation of the nature of the conduct in question, the wisdom of some form of pecuniary punishment, and the advisability of a deterrent. Therefore, the infliction of such damages, and the amount thereof when inflicted, are of necessity within the discretion of the trier of fact. Lee v. Southern Homes Sites Corp., 429 F.2d 290, 294 (5th Cir. 1970). The record shows sufficient evidence to support the jury's findings, and we affirm the award made below. 2