Home : Police Practices

Two Supreme Court Cases Confront Further Erosion of "Right to Remain Silent" (12/09/2003)
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in United States v. Patane and Missouri v. Seibert, two cases in which confessions, information and evidence were obtained by police without fully advising suspects of their ""right to remain silent"" as required by the landmark Miranda ruling.

ACLU of Rhode Island Responds to City's "Action Plan" On Racial Profiling (11/25/2003)
PROVIDENCE, RI-- In response to the City of Providence's release of an "action plan" to address racial profiling, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island said today that it planned to work with legislators on the introduction of comprehensive legislation to address the issue of racial profiling statewide.

Michigan Court Strikes Down Breathalyzer Tests for Pedestrians as Unconstitutional (11/25/2003)
DETROIT - In a ruling that will impact young adults throughout the state, a federal judge ruled that Bay City police may no longer force pedestrians under age 21 to take a Breathalyzer test without obtaining a search warrant, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan announced today.

Voters Support Major Police Reform in San Francisco - Proposition H Sets Standard of Police Oversight (11/05/2003)
SAN FRANCISCO -The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California today hailed the passage of Proposition H, making San Francisco the first city in the nation in which every stage of the police complaint process - from the investigation of the complaint to disciplinary decisions - is controlled by civilians.

Federal Judge Upholds Police Misconduct Claim Against Connecticut Police Officers in Case of Mistaken Identity (10/08/2003)
HARTFORD-A federal judge today upheld a police misconduct claim filed by the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a man who was mistakenly identified as a suspect and then kicked and beaten by city police officers.

ACLU of Illinois Sues Justice Department and Homeland Security Officials Over Failure to Release Racial Profiling Data (08/13/2003)
CHICAGO -- Calling on the Bush Administration to make a public showing that it is serious about the promise to fight racial profiling, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today asked a federal court to order the release of data that will help the public determine whether federal law enforcement agencies are engaged in racial profiling.

ACLU of Washington Seeks Information on City of Seattle's Stance on Police Accountability (07/01/2003)
SEATTLE--Seeking to promote an open and more transparent government, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington filed a lawsuit today seeking public documents detailing contract negotiations between city officials and the Seattle Police Guild.

ACLU of Nebraska Announces Settlement with Police Over Intrusive Strip-Search of Teen (06/11/2003)
LINCOLN, NE- The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed against the city of Kearney and its police department over the strip-search of a teen-age girl.

NYCLU Says NYPD's Handling of Protestors Needs Improvement in Time for Republican Convention (04/28/2003)
NEW YORK--Saying that law enforcement crowd control tactics should be improved in time for next year's Republican Convention here, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) today called on city officials to implement quick reforms. The NYCLU's suggested changes were highlighted in a 40-page report, released today on the steps of City Hall.

Citing New Report on Police Misconduct, ACLU of Northern CA Renews Call for Reforms (04/23/2003)
SAN FRANCISCO -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California today called for major police reforms following the release of a highly critical new report by a citizen complaint board documenting the San Francisco Police Department's obstruction of investigations into police misconduct.

ACLU of Rhode Island Urges Providence To Rethink "Red-Light Camera" Proposal (04/22/2003)
PROVIDENCE, RI--The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today called on Providence Mayor David Cicilline and the City Council to reject a proposal that calls for the installation of so-called "red-light cameras" at various intersections in the city.