Police Misconduct

If you believe a police officer crossed the line—used excessive force, treated you unfairly, or even violated your rights—you’re not alone. And more importantly, you have options. Filing a complaint can feel intimidating, especially when the system seems stacked against you. But it’s a critical first step toward accountability. In California, you have a right…

The efforts of police unions in New York City to block the release of disciplinary records of thousands of officers were defeated by a federal court ruling. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will also impact corrections officers and firefighters employed by the city. The…

California State Assembly member Rob Bonta recently proposed new legislation requiring prosecutors recuse themselves from investigations into police shootings and misconduct if they have received campaign donations from the union representing the officer(s) involved. Currently, California’s elected district attorneys (DAs) may accept contributions and funding from law enforcement unions and associations. Many have often questioned…

The past year has seen a spate of police officer-involved shootings and wide public allegations of nationwide police misconduct. Discussion around accountability for law enforcement tends to come back to the issue of reforming or eliminating qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that often shields police officers from liability in lawsuits. In some cases, however, victims…

About 16 months ago, Kurt Reinhold was shot to death by a deputy from the O.C. Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team. On February 2, 2022, the Office of the District Attorney for Orange County issued a 10 page letter explaining why they would not be bringing charges against him. In the letter, the DA states that…