Essay On Police Discipline

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Departmental discipline has been imposed by various police stations to ensure that police officers do not violate agency policy. It is mandatory for officers to obey departmental restrictions on how to initiate an investigation, when to pursue it and when to discontinue it. Although failure to follow departmental policy may lead to internal discipline, it is not in itself enough reason to impose civil liability. However, in cases where officers go too far and violate the rights of citizens, the victim of misconduct is entitled to take action through federal and state laws. Civil rights laws protect citizens from abuse by government authorities and law enforcers. These laws allow attorney, compensatory and disciplinary damages as incentives to compensate injured parties and enforce their rights.

According to Heath, there are three ways for civilians to file a complaint on law enforcer brutality or misconduct. The ways include; internal complaints, criminal complaints and civil suits. Citizens are entitled to use any of these avenues to report the brutality. In the instance of injured citizens, they are mandated to file a lawsuit in the form of tort. Tort laws allow civilians to receive compensation for the damages incurred because of the action by an officer. This form of claim under civil suits is where the plaintiff is habitually awarded compensation in damages in the form of money. However, liability of damages by law enforcers on a state tort suit entirely depends on the immunities formed by the state law.

Kappeler, (2006), alleges that victims of the brutality are expected to sue an officer on the premise of their individual’s constitutional and common law rights being violated. The l...

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...with responsibility, accountability and transparency. Subsequently, it will deprive wrongdoers in the police departments of the opportunities to benefit from crimes and illegal activities. In conclusion, civil liabilities benefit citizens who are innocent parties injured by an officer and provide an avenue for them to report instances of police vices and brutality.

References

Burns, R. G. (2013). Policing: A Modular Approach, First Edition. Ph Proffessional Business. Heath B. & Grant, K. J. (2011). Law Enforcement In The 21st Century. Prentice Hall.
Kappeler, V. E. (2006). Police Civil Liabilty: Supreme Court Cases And Materials. Waveland

Press.
Miller, S., & Blackler, J. (2004). Ethical issues in policing. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. Prenzler, T., & Ransley, J. (2002). Police reform: Building integrity. Annandale, NSW: Hawkins

Press.

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