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.

Collage with a police car and some police officers

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!

Know Your Rights

The Latest

News & Commentary
Dark blue graphic that shows civil asset forfeiture with symbols of justice.

District attorneys can take control of people’s property before they’ve been found guilty of a crime. Your vote can help reform this practice.

Civil asset forfeiture laws in Massachusetts are horribly unfair and perpetuate damaging abuses of power. District attorneys can change the practices in their own offices on day one.
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
Court Cases: Linsenmeir v. City of Springfield and Estate of Madelyn E. Linsenmeir v. City of Springfield
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
Know Your Rights
Police officer leaning against police car

When do I have to give my name or address to law enforcement in Massachusetts?

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

Court Case
Apr 10, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Massachusetts State Police

Public records lawsuit seeks basic information about the state's deployment and use of a powerful and unregulated surveillance technology that has generated widespread outcry in communities across Massachusetts.
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 6, 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.