Police Accountability

The ACLU of Massachusetts seeks to create police departments that work collaboratively with all of the communities they serve through increased transparency, accountability, and fairness.

White graphic with three images layered. A purple square image of metal bars, a blue image of a gavel, and an orange image of baby justice

For law enforcement to be trusted partners in community safety, they must be held accountable for their actions. After all, we give police extraordinary authority — including the power to use deadly force and to decide who gets stopped, searched, arrested, and funneled into the criminal legal system.

The ACLU has a long history of shining light on police wrongdoing, from racist stop-and-frisk practices to intrusive use of surveillance technology to excessive force. Nobody is above the law!

The Latest

Press Release
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Final settlement reached in lawsuit against Hampden County Sheriff for the death of Madelyn Linsenmeir

The ACLU, together with Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts and Goulston & Storrs, finalized a settlement with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department in a civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of the estate of Madelyn Linsenmeir. 
Issue Areas: Police Accountability
Press Release
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ACLU of Massachusetts statement on US Department of Justice report in Worcester investigation

These alarming findings confirm once again that Massachusetts is not — and never has been — immune to police misconduct.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability
Press Release
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ACLU of Massachusetts calls for urgent federal investigation into violent death of State Police recruit, allegations of abuse

The death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia and allegations of abuse and discrimination at the Massachusetts State Police Academy require a thorough independent investigation.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability
Press Release
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Wrongful death lawsuit against Boston, four police officers can now proceed to trial

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the estate of Shayne Stilphen, who died of an overdose while in the custody of the Boston Police Department.
Issue Areas: Police Accountability
Court Case
Nov 26, 2018

Linsenmeir v. City of Springfield and Estate of Madelyn E. Linsenmeir v. City of Springfield

The ACLU is seeking justice for a young woman denied medical care in state custody.
Court Case
Feb 17, 2023

Okosi v. Roby

The ACLU and Todd & Weld filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michael Okosi, seeking justice for the harm he suffered—including physical and emotional injuries—based on the lies of one police officer.
Court Case
Dec 12, 2022

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security et al.

The ACLU of Massachusetts, together with law firm Wolf Greenfield, filed a lawsuit against two Massachusetts agencies for failing to produce public records regarding the state’s use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
Court Case
Dec 06, 2022

ACLU of Massachusetts v. City of Pittsfield

The ACLU of Massachusetts filed a public records lawsuit against the City of Pittsfield for failing to produce the Pittsfield Police Department’s policies, procedures, and records of street-level interactions.