Home : Police Practices

ACLU of Maryland Lawsuit Uncovers Maryland State Police Spying Against Peace and Anti-Death Penalty Groups (07/17/2008)
BALTIMORE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland today made public what it called "shocking" documents obtained through a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) lawsuit, revealing that the Maryland State Police (MSP) engaged in covert surveillance of local peace and anti-death penalty groups for over a year from 2005-2006. The organization expressed alarm at the incomprehensible spying revealed in 43 pages of summaries and computer logs, none of which refer to criminal or even potentially criminal acts, other than a few isolated references to plans for completely nonviolent civil disobedience.

ACLU Seeks Investigation Into Tasing Death In Winnfield (07/16/2008)
NEW ORLEANS - Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana sent a letter urging the District Attorney of Winn Parish to investigate the tasing death of Baron DeAundrae Pikes, who died on January 17 from electrocution while in police custody. Mr. Pike's death certificate clearly shows that he was tased no fewer than nine times – while already in police restraints – and that he died as a result of electroshock injuries.

ACLU Sues Denver Seeking Disclosure Of DNC-Related Purchases Of Police Equipment (05/28/2008)
DENVER -- Invoking Colorado's open records laws, the ACLU of Colorado filed suit today in Denver District Court, asking that Denver be ordered to disclose records related to budgeting for and purchase of police equipment dating from January 2007, when Denver was selected as the host city for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

ACLU Foundation of Arizona to Honor New Times Executives at Annual Bill of Rights Dinner on March 29 (05/27/2008)
PHOENIX – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Arizona will honor New Times executives Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin at its annual Bill of Rights Dinner on March 29 at the Heard Museum. The evening will feature a keynote address by Lacey, who along with Larkin, was arrested by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for exposing police misconduct and refusing to turn over records about their readers to local law enforcement.

ACLU Defends Border Patrol Agents for Exposing Practice of 'Shotgunning' (05/21/2008)
TUCSON – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico today filed suit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities on behalf of two CBP agents who were suspended from duty after speaking out against the agency's practice of "shotgunning traffic"--i.e., randomly stopping vehicles without reasonable suspicion. Agents Juan Curbelo and William Leafstone, Jr. have worked for the CBP for 12 years.

MCLU to Appeal Verdict in Excessive Force Case (05/20/2008)
PORTLAND, ME – Attorneys with the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation today said they would appeal a U.S. District Court decision granting summary judgment to a South Portland police officer who was accused of using excessive force against a Westbrook woman.

ACLU/SC Says LAPD Has Not Addressed Root Causes Of Last Year's Melee (05/01/2008)
One year and numerous investigations later, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has still not addressed the root causes of last year’s melee in MacArthur Park in which hundreds of peaceful demonstrators and journalists were beaten and injured by LAPD officers, according to the ACLU of Southern California.

ACLU of Washington Supports Professor Detained for Taking Photos on Public Property (11/15/2007)
SEATTLE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit on behalf of Shirley Scheier, a University of Washington professor who was detained by city of Snohomish police for taking photographs of power lines as part of an art project. Filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, the lawsuit seeks compensation for her wrongful detention.

ACLU of Washington Wins Compensation For Wrongfully Arrested Photographer (11/08/2007)
SEATTLE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced that a Seattle man has obtained a settlement of $8,000 from the city of Seattle after he was arrested simply for taking photographs of police making an arrest. The ACLU represented the photographer in his wrongful arrest case.

ACLU Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Fourth Amendment Rights of Car Passengers (06/18/2007)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union applauded today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court in Brendlin v. California, recognizing that passengers in a car that is stopped by the police are seized as well as the driver, and therefore have the same right under the Fourth Amendment to protest an unconstitutional stop that is based on the police officer’s whim rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

HipHop Against Policy Brutality, ACLU of Texas and Abilene NAACP to Co-Host Youth Summit (06/15/2007)
ABILENE, TX – Three civil rights organizations are joining forces to host the first annual Abilene HipHop Summit. The HipHop Summit will be held Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 North 6th St. Abilene, Texas from 10 am to 2pm. Registration will begin at 9:30am. The HipHop Summit theme urges young people to “Express, Empower, and Educate” themselves to become positive agents for change in their schools and community.