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.
Martin v. United States – fighting to preserve federal officer accountability for constitutional violations
Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability
Cameron v. District of Columbia – Challenging Practice of Needlessly Retaining Arrested Individuals' Cell Phones for Months or Years Without Process
ACLU-DC Testifies at Performance Oversight Hearing for the Metropolitan Police Department
Letter to the D.C. Council Regarding the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act
ACLU-DC Testimony before the D.C. Council on the Street Vending Decriminalization Amendment Act and the Sidewalk Vending Zones Amendment Act
The Latest
D.C. Has a Police Abuse Problem
May 14, 2024ACLU-D.C. Statement on Recent Police Violence against Free...
November 16, 2023
Together, We’re Changing the Face of Crisis Response in D.C.
August 31, 2023Lawsuit Challenges Unequal Response to Mental Health Emergencies in...
July 6, 2023COURT OF APPEALS DENIES CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS AGAINST FEDERAL...
June 23, 2023ACLU-D.C. Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Demonstrator Injured by...
March 14, 2023ACLU-D.C. SEEKS SYSTEMATIC PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER...
February 5, 2023