NCJ Number
150512
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This training document summarizes the sources of civil liability of police and the preventive measures needed at the agency and individual levels.
Abstract
Although almost any aspect of police work may result in an incident that leads to a civil lawsuit, major sources of civil liability relate to the use of firearms; motor vehicle pursuits; arrest, search, and seizure; responses to citizen complaints or requests for protection; rendering first aid; domestic assault; citizen endangerment; sexual harassment; training; and dispatch, monitoring, and control of police activities. An officer's achievement of proficiency at performing required tasks will greatly reduce the incidence of civil suits. Other specific measures should be taken to reduce the potential for a lawsuit in each of the major areas in which civil liability is a possible. Questions and answers