In federal litigation, the judge-made doctrine of qualified immunity shields officers from liability in lawsuits alleging constitutional violations because courts often require a plaintiff to point to a factually identical prior case.While there are many police accountability mechanisms in need of change, ensuring officers at least face civil liability for misconduct is critical to any reform effort. Lawsuits alone cannot end problematic policing tactics, eliminate racial bias in law enforcement agencies, or bring peace to the grieving families who lost a loved one to police violence. But holding police accountable in court is an essential component of building a future free of police violence.
Policy White Paper
In our policy white paper, we outline shortcomings in existing civil rights enforcement regimes, propose recommendations for state-level reform legislation, and respond to common objections raised by opponents of immunity reform efforts.
Learning Materials
- Statistical Report on Colorado’s Qualified Immunity Reform and Crime Rates
- Qualified Immunity Fact Sheet
- Comparing Model Legislation for Ending Qualified Immunity