Abstract
Law enforcement occupies an important position in contemporary American society. Police officers are charged with enforcing the law, pursuing violators, and providing security for the public. In addition, police officers shoulder principal "responsibility for protecting people's fundamental civil rights to life, liberty, and property." To fulfill these duties, society gives police officers license to use coercive force. Yet that license is, by its very nature, susceptible to abuse and misapplication. Indeed, most police officers enjoy broad discretion and minimal supervision. Police misconduct is of special concern for our justice system because, unlike the decisions of other public employees, a police officer's decision to use coercive or deadly force often carries irreversible consequences. Furthermore, violence and mistrust often result when police officers violate the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect.
Recommended Citation
Hess, Matthew V.
(1993)
"Good Cop-Bad Cop: Reassessing the
Legal Remedies for Police Misconduct,"
Utah Law Review: Vol. 1993:
No.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://dc.law.utah.edu/ulr/vol1993/iss1/3