Police Practices and Police Misconduct

Police officers have the vital and difficult job of protecting public safety – a job they must perform without trampling individuals’ civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU works to ensure that police officers interact with the public on a race-neutral basis and with respect for individuals’ constitutional rights. Through policy advocacy and in court, we hold police officers and agencies accountable to the public that they serve.

Police

Police officers have the vital and difficult job of protecting public safety – a job they must perform without trampling individuals’ civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU works to ensure that police officers interact with the public on a race-neutral basis and with respect for individuals’ constitutional rights. Through policy advocacy and in court, we hold police officers and agencies accountable to the public that they serve.

The Latest

News & Commentary
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D.C. Has a Police Abuse Problem

Police abuse in the District causes significant harm, costs millions of dollars, and undermines the whole justice system. It’s clearly time for District leaders to invest in police accountability solutions.
Know Your Rights
drug free zones

Drug-Free Zones

ACLU-D.C. believes that the new drug-free zones are ineffective, racially discriminatory, and unconstitutional, but they are the law for now. Here are your rights and what to do in drug-free zones.
Press Release
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ACLU-D.C. Statement on Recent Police Violence against Free Palestine Demonstrators

A concerning incident occurred at the Democratic Party Headquarters in Washington D.C., where protesters advocating for the “Let Gaza Live” movement faced violent police action from local and Capitol forces. The government must ensure that demonstrators’ First Amendment rights are protected.
Issue Areas: Police Practices and Police Misconduct
News & Commentary
A group posing on behalf of the DC Crisis Response Coalition.

Together, We’re Changing the Face of Crisis Response in D.C.

The D.C. Crisis Response Coalition is leading the charge to protect community members who need support during mental health crises.
Court Case
Mar 18, 2025

Martin v. United States – fighting to preserve federal officer accountability for constitutional violations

Court Case
Sep 07, 2023

Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability

In 2015, police officers shot tear gas at two legal observers with bright green "Legal Observer" hats. The court ruled that words printed on clothing are not entitled to First Amendment protections. Together with the National ACLU and the ACLU of Missouri, we petitioned SCOTUS to review the case.
Court Case
Nov 04, 2021

Cameron v. District of Columbia – Challenging Practice of Needlessly Retaining Arrested Individuals' Cell Phones for Months or Years Without Process

Court Case
Aug 12, 2021

Asinor v. District of Columbia – Challenging Use of Chemical Irritants and Less-Lethal Projectiles Against Demonstrators and Journalists

The ACLU-DC filed a lawsuit on behalf of two photojournalists against the District of Columbia and 8 D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers for unleashing chemical irritants and stun grenades one month after the D.C. Council instilled a ban on the use of these weapons during demonstrations.