Reference no: EM133113731

The Civil Rights Act of 1871 is a federal statute, U.S.C. § 1983, that allows people to sue the government for civil rights violations. It applies when someone acting "under color of" state-level or local law has deprived a person of rights created by the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes. Lawyers make millions of dollars for their clients suing police officers, police departments, cities, and counties for police officers' actions, or some cases perceived actions. In many cases, millions are sought, however, the defendants settle to avoid lengthy attorney, and trial costs. It is much easier to pay, then to fight. On one hand, I understand it's a cost benefit situation. However, the settlements discredit the agency and involved officer. It gives the perception everyone involved is guilty. Most associate lawsuits involve suspects, deceased suspect's families, and the like. However, police officers often sue the departments they work for. The employee's allege bad treatment, workplace violence, sexual harassment, or other work-related issues. In many ways, it's a failure to be accountable for one's own short comings and shifting the blame to the agency because of the police culture that exists. It is easy for a disgruntled police officer to learn the buzz words ("Whistleblower") necessary to bring a lawsuit by merely reading cases that have gone before and were quite lucrative to the plaintiff.