Police Misconduct Archives

Vallejo Releases Long-Suppressed Badge-Bending Investigation after ACLU Lawsuit

By David M. GreenwaldJune 27, 20260 comments

The City of Vallejo released a long-withheld investigative report confirming that police officers bent the tips of their badges following officer-involved shootings. This practice, first reported by Open Vallejo in 2020, drew national attention and, as concluded by the report, undermined public confidence in law enforcement. The report’s disclosure was compelled by a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.

Lawsuit: San Mateo Deputies Tortured, Sexually Abused Comedian Ahmed

By Jaskaran SinghJune 16, 20260 comments

A lawsuit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court alleges comedian Ahmed Aboubakr Ahmed was subjected to wrongful arrest, physical assault, and psychological torture for nearly 21 hours while detained at the Maguire Correctional Facility. The complaint names the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, former Sheriff Christina Corpus, and multiple unnamed deputies as defendants, detailing allegations of being beaten, hooded, and restrained.

Philly Officer Convicted of Perjury; Body Cam Footage Undermines Testimony

By Kaitlyn MajlesiJune 5, 20260 comments

Former 39th District Police Officer Daniel Levitt was convicted of perjury following a jury trial, after body camera footage presented during proceedings contradicted his prior testimony concerning a 2021 traffic stop in Northwest Philadelphia.

80-Year-Old Sues ICE for $50M: Alleged Assault & Unlawful Detention

By Irene LilleyMay 22, 20260 comments

An 80-year-old Southern California car wash owner has filed a $50 million federal civil rights lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal agencies. The complaint alleges agents violently assaulted and unlawfully detained Rafie Ollah Shouhed during a 2025 immigration raid, resulting in broken ribs, head trauma, and lasting emotional distress.

$11.8M Verdict in LAPD Crowd Control Case Marks Major Civil Rights Victory

By David M. GreenwaldApril 25, 20260 comments

Isaac Castellanos was awarded $11.8 million by a federal jury after Los Angeles police fired a projectile into a crowd during the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory celebrations, resulting in him being permanently blinded in one eye.

San Francisco Man Found Not Guilty After Flawed Investigation and Trial

By Ria BaggaApril 22, 20260 comments

Pierre Constant was acquitted of all charges after spending 18 months in jail for an attack allegedly committed, with allegations of police misconduct and prosecutorial delays raising concerns about wrongful convictions and due process.

Body Camera Footage Shows San Leandro Police Brutality against Unhoused Man

By Kavita Boon-LongApril 3, 20260 comments

Body camera footage released by ABC7 News shows San Leandro police officers handcuffing, assaulting, and abandoning an unhoused man after determining he had not committed a crime, with the officers failing to document the incident and the police supervisor allowing it to continue.

Independent Data Projects Fill Gaps in Police Misconduct Transparency

By Felipe Juarez MolinaJanuary 29, 20260 comments

The Prison Policy Initiative has highlighted the importance of independent data projects in tracking police misconduct, providing models for local and national efforts to hold law enforcement accountable.

Justice System Flaws Exposed by Wrongfully Convicted Speaker

By Benjamin BorghiJanuary 22, 20260 comments

Termaine Hicks, who was exonerated after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, will share his experiences with the justice system at the U.S. Marshals Museum’s “True Crime Tonight” event.

Op-ed | Probable Pause: Solano County Peace Officer Complaints

By Vanguard AdministratorJanuary 5, 20260 comments

The Solano County Sheriff’s Department has been accused of misconduct, raising concerns about officer accountability, internal discipline, and the treatment of women, as well as the difficulty and intimidation of the complaint process for members of the public.

Vallejo Faces Calls for Independent Probe Into Police Misconduct Allegations

By Vanguard AdministratorDecember 27, 20250 comments

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California is urging the City of Vallejo to conduct a full, independent investigation into the City Attorney’s Office over its handling of alleged police misconduct within the Vallejo Police Department, citing extensive, credible allegations that undermine public trust.

Police Chief Accused of Misusing Surveillance Camera during Divorce, Prompting Statewide Alarm

By Jack WangDecember 3, 20250 comments

The ACLU of Wisconsin has accused City of Greenfield Police Chief Jay Johnson of ordering the installation of a surveillance camera outside his personal home during his divorce, which is a misuse of public resources and a pattern of police abusing surveillance tools for personal reasons.