| Recent history shows that a significant number of citizens across the Unites States are now seeking litigation against police agencies when their officers violate their civil rights. Often times these events occur due to poor training of these officers by their respective agencies ensuing from their social interactons with members of the communities they patrol. Hence, this study analyzed past policies and training procedures that were in effect for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) during 1998 to determine if there was any liability of risk following evidence of any officer misconduct. Mixed methodology, using a descriptive quantitative approach and based on a historical design, was used to determine whether or not the SFPD had appropriate policies, training, and control measures in place to minimize potential citizen complaints against officers that could have lead to misconduct allegations and ultimately, civil litigation. Results showed that SFPD policies, recruit and in-service training and early warning system measures caused a lower number of substantiated complaints of officer misconduct based upon clear policy, appropriate training and deployed early warning system measures. Consequently, the findings suggested that the SFPD created a lower liability profile in respect to random vs. non-random risks required in court to explain a department's position relative to their risk management of officer misconduct. An examination of internal complaints, however, would provide a more comprehensive analysis in order to suggest a liability profile. |
