Most discussions of police and human rights are concerned with police conduct that is either clearly lawless or else reflects laws that are themselves clearly morally abhorrent. But police actions frequently occur in a context in which the definition of human rights is not clear. Discussions of rights in the United States are likely to use the term civil rights. While human rights are seen as universal and inherent in the fact of being human, the American concept of civil rights is based on the Constitution of the United States, particularly its Bill of Rights. Entering the human rights conversation calls for: (1) a sophisticated acquaintance with the issues, data, players, and language involved in human rights discussions; (2) police to make themselves available; and (3) dialogue with government officials. The article describes police as ideally situated to call attention to the problems resulting from the constantly evolving concepts of human rights, and to suggest solutions. References