Common Types of Police Misconduct Cases in California (2025)

Police misconduct damages public confidence while infringing upon personal rights and creates major obstacles within the justice system. Multiple types of police misconduct in California have been recorded, including both excessive force use and breaches of constitutional rights. These common types of police misconduct cases in California show the need for those responsible to be held accountable.

Police Misconduct in California

Police misconduct occurs when law enforcement officers perform illegal, unethical, or inappropriate acts during their official duties. Excessive force and false arrests, alongside racial profiling and evidence tampering, represent examples of police misconduct when officers abuse their authority. When police officers engage in misconduct, they damage public confidence while breaching constitutional protections, which may result in false convictions or bodily injury.

California has implemented state laws to help address police conduct. Some of these laws include:

• The Bane Act: This law gives people the power to file a civil claim against anyone, including law enforcement personnel, who infringe on their constitutional rights, whether through threats or intimidation.
• California Penal Code Section 149: This law makes it illegal for police officers to use excessive force and outlines penalties for doing so, including fines and imprisonment.
• Assembly Bill 392: This California bill limits the use of deadly force by police, allowing it only when necessary to defend against the threat of bodily harm, injury, or death.

California also showed notable statistics regarding police misconduct. Police Scorecard reported the following:

• From 2016 to 2021, California received more than 60,000 civilian reports of police misconduct. Civilian complaints against police misconduct received favorable rulings in just 9% of cases, highlighting possible accountability issues.
• Between 2013 and 2021, police departments in California documented 1,478 fatal encounters with officers. Police killings of Black people occurred at a rate 3.8 times higher than White people, while Latinx people experienced police killings 1.5 times more frequently during the same timeframe.

Common Types of Police Misconduct

There are several different types of police misconduct, but a few of them are more common than others. These types include:

Excessive Force

When law enforcement officers apply more physical force than necessary to detain a suspect or control a situation, it is known as excessive force or police brutality. This type of misconduct ranks among the most widespread issues in California.

Constitutional Violations

The infringement of constitutional rights protected by the Fourth and Fifth Amendments represents severe police misconduct. The Fourth Amendment ensures protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, whereas the Fifth Amendment grants individuals the right to remain silent and obtain legal representation.

Reports indicate that California police departments have committed unreasonable searches alongside racial profiling and coercive interrogation methods that violate fundamental rights.

Sexual Violations

Law enforcement officers commit severe abuses of power when they perpetrate sexual misconduct through harassment and assault. California law protects victims of police misconduct while imposing harsh legal repercussions for offending officers. The problem of underreporting continues because individuals fear retaliation and lack trust in the system.

Abusing Power

Abuse of authority includes multiple actions where law enforcement officers exploit their power through activities like illegal searches and corrupt practices. Examples of abusing authority include coercion, bribery, and corruption.

False Imprisonment

Individuals who experience false arrests are detained without legitimate legal reasons, which constitutes a breach of their constitutional rights. Officials in California have made arrests without probable cause or on false evidence, which resulted in wrongful imprisonment cases. These actions damage both the people affected and the public trust in law enforcement institutions.

Falsifying Reports

Some officers have faced convictions for creating false evidence or reports to cover up illegal conduct or obtain convictions. The criminal justice system’s integrity suffers due to such misconduct, which consequently results in wrongful convictions. Evidence tampering and perjury committed by law enforcement officers in California became public knowledge, which led to legal changes and demands for better accountability.

Racial Profiling

Racial profiling targets people for suspected criminal behavior because of their racial background or ethnic identity. Legal prohibitions against racial profiling exist in California, yet the practice continues to result in excessive stops, searches, and force used against minority populations. These practices maintain systemic racism while damaging the relationship between communities and police forces.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Forms of Police Misconduct?

The most common forms of police misconduct are excessive force and false arrest. Racial profiling, unlawful searches, and evidence tampering are also common. Police officers sometimes use bribery or coercion to intimidate or retaliate against individuals who submit complaints. Police officers who violate these actions can face civil rights claims as well as disciplinary measures and criminal charges.

What Is Police Misconduct in California?

The term police misconduct in California covers law enforcement officer behaviors that breach either state or federal laws and violate constitutional rights or departmental protocols. Police misconduct entails excessive use of force together with unauthorized searches and discriminatory practices, as well as power exploitation.

The Bane Act and SB 1421 authorize victims to file claims for civil rights offenses while granting them access to records on substantiated officer misconduct cases.

What Is the Average Settlement for Police Misconduct?

The financial amounts awarded in police misconduct cases depend on factors including the extent of harm caused and the legal infractions committed, along with the strength of the supporting evidence. Financial restitution includes payment for medical bills as well as compensation for lost income, emotional suffering, and punitive damages.

Certain police misconduct cases lead to substantial financial settlements, but some are dismissed or resolved through smaller settlements based on specific circumstances and presented legal arguments.

What Is the Most Common Complaint Against Police Officers?

The most common complaint against police officers is excessive force, which stands out as the leading issue reported against police officers, which encompasses both inappropriate physical restraint methods and weapon use.

Police officers face frequent allegations of racial profiling along with unconstitutional arrests and other violations of citizens’ rights. The response to these complaints varies between internal investigations and civil claims or disciplinary action, depending on how severe and credible the allegations are.

Contact Greg Peacock Law

If you have been the victim of police misconduct, Greg Peacock Law can help you seek restitution. Contact us today to begin fighting for your future.