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Police Liability: Lawsuits Against the Police

NCJ Number
201369
Author(s)
Dennis M. Payne
Date Published
2002
Length
240 pages
Annotation
This book discusses liability suits filed against police agencies and provides directions for police managers to avoid this situation.
Abstract
Fifty-two actual cases litigated against police officers and their departments or jurisdictions are presented. The book is designed to alert police administration to several pitfalls that can occur in police operations and can lead to lawsuits against them. Police officers should be keenly aware of their departmental policies. Police supervisors must not only be sure their officers understand the content of their policies, but must also document when such understandings take place. Supervisors should review police reports for their content and completeness. Insights are provided that will assist in the development of stronger and more meaningful policies, improved training, closer supervision, and more accountable discipline. Damages against the police agencies discussed ran into the millions, but other costs included attorney fees, insurance premiums, loss of productivity, and public trust. Chapter 1 provides commentary on police liability. Chapter 2 presents a review of literature concerning the use of force and case analyses regarding use of force. Chapter 3 provides a review of literature concerning police pursuits and case analyses regarding police pursuits. Chapter 4 presents a brief review of police orders and directives and case analyses regarding police procedure cases. Chapter 5 describes police practices in homicide cases and analyses of homicide cases. Chapter 6 offers a summary of conclusions and suggestions. The worst approach a police officer can take is to consider lawsuits as the cost of doing police business and just continue with an attitude of business as usual. 162 references