NCJ Number
184503
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 69 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 15-20
Editor(s)
John E. Ott
Date Published
August 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Although most police officers perform their jobs in a professional manner, police departments should be conscious of potential police misconduct based on race and should take appropriate steps to prevent racial bias and avoid color of law investigations.
Abstract
About 74 percent of all civil rights investigations reported each year in the United States allege police misconduct. Approximately 30 attorneys from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and 190 Federal Bureau of Investigation special agents in 56 field offices investigate and prosecute civil rights matters. The most common types of police misconduct include excessive force, sexual assault, intentional false arrest, falsifying evidence, extortion, and other related offenses. Of the nearly 10,000 color of law complaints received each year, the Department of Justice prosecutes only about 30 police officers. The remaining cases either lack prosecutive merit or do not require formal judicial proceedings to resolve. Color of law investigations involve two categories, criminal wrong-doing and pattern-and-practice misconduct. Investigative protocols are described in terms of the preliminary investigation, the substantial case investigation, and the grand jury process. Ways of ensuring that the actions of police officers do not place them in jeopardy and preventing color of law investigations are discussed. 8 endnotes, 1 table, and 2 photographs