Short description:

This book provides valuable information and recommendations for current and future officers and correctional system employees, introducing them to civil liability and federal law, as well as recommending strategies that can be taken to minimize risks.

Long description:

This book provides valuable information and recommendations for current and future officers and correctional system employees, introducing them to civil liability and federal law, as well as recommending strategies that can be taken to minimize risks. The increasing litigation against criminal justice practitioners in the United States poses a significant problem for law enforcement and other personnel. Law enforcement and corrections professionals need to have a working knowledge of both criminal law and the civil law process to ensure that they are performing their duties within the limits of the law.

Civil Liability in Criminal Justice is unique in its combination of applicable case law and related liability research, providing an overview of high-liability areas. This new edition has been revised to include up-to-date United States Supreme Court cases and illuminates the latest developments in the use of force, arrest-related deaths, custodial suicides in detention, collective bargaining, public perception issues, and more. Ross offers an engaging, accessible introduction to civil liability in the criminal justice system. A test bank and PowerPoint slides are available for instructor support.

A valuable resource for enhancing student knowledge and practitioner job performance, this text is suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice programs as well as for in-service and academy training.

"Dr. Ross?s book teaches law enforcement agencies how to see operations through the lens of risk. Now for every training event or planned operation we identify the risks and the control measures to counter them. The end result: we have seen a remarkable reduction in consequences of legal liability, and better officer performance and perceived professionalism from the community."

Jim A. Blocker, Chief of Police, Battle Creek, Michigan?????

"Dr. Ross provides the ?A to Z? reference book for civil liability in a criminal justice setting, whether it be day to day policing or overseeing offenders in correctional institutions. A practical, subject-by-subject guide, this book gives clear data and reasoning behind civil liability, what drives it and how to mitigate it. The final chapter clearly sets out trends based on law and recent Court decisions. A must read, this book should be in the hands of every American criminal justice executive."

Jim Ferraris, Chief of Police, Woodburn, Oregon, Police Department

"This text discusses complex concepts and principles in easily understood language. It is thoroughly researched and well organized. Readers will learn duties and responsibilities that are owed to all and strategies to prevent harms and avoid or limit exposure to civil liability."

Andrew Fulkerson, J.D., Ph.D., Professor, Southeast Missouri State University; former judge and prosecuting attorney, State of Arkansas?

Table of Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Overview of Civil Liability

2. Foundations for Liability

3. Civil Liability under State and Federal Tort Law

4. Civil Liability and Federal Law: Section 1983 Litigation

5. Defenses to Civil Litigation and Risk Management

6. Administration and Supervisory Liability

7. Liability for Failure to Train

8. Operating Criminal Justice Agencies under Consent Decree

9. Personnel Issues and Liability

10. Use of Force in Law Enforcement and Corrections

11. Section 1983 and Correctional Liability Issues

12. Section 1983 Actions in Law Enforcement

13. Liability and Arrest-related Deaths

14. Liability and Suicides in Detention

Table of Cases

Index