Police Practices

Every Californian who has an encounter with the police deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. But too often police officers violate individuals’ constitutional rights. The ACLU of Northern California works to hold law enforcement accountable. We advocate for victims of police misconduct and support reforms that make our communities safer, while also reducing the role of police.

Outline of the state of California overlaid with pictures of a protestor holding a sign that says "I can't breathe" and the lower bodies of police in protest gear
police car with lights on

Know Your Rights Guides for Police Encounters and Law Enforcement Accountability

Encounters with the law can be stressful and scary. Knowing your rights can help you stay safe and hold law enforcement accountable. Explore our guides for information about your rights during interactions with police, taking photos and video of law enforcement, accessing California police records, and more.

Explore Our Guides

Gold Chains: The Hidden History of Slavery in California

Gold Chains highlights California’s slavery past which is not taught in schools.

Through narratives, public records, archival material, and images, this project exposes California’s hidden history and the ways in which its legacy persists in the state’s courts, culture, and conscience.

Explore Gold Chains
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The Latest

Press Release
Collage of images from Siskiyou County

Siskiyou County Settles Claims Over Race-Based Traffic Stops, Agrees to Major Reform

Sheriff’s Office to follow new traffic stop reforms and comply with independent oversight
Issue Areas: Racial Justice, Police Practices
Court Cases: Mathis et al v. County of Siskiyou and Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue
Press Release
papers in an open filing cabinet

ACLU Renews Call for Transparent Investigation of Alleged Misconduct by Vallejo City Attorney 

Issue Areas: Police Practices, Open Government
News & Commentary
person on cell phone, eyeball, and surveillance camera

Mass Surveillance in the Trump Era

The Trump administration is weaponizing technology to build a mass-surveillance state.
News & Commentary
the feet of walking military troops

Be prepared. Know your rights.

On Thursday, the Trump administration sent federal immigration agents to the Bay Area. They fired flash bangs at peaceful protesters.
Court Case
Jan 20, 2026

SIREN, et al. v. City of San Jose, et al.

The ACLU of Northern California and the Electronic Frontier Foundation filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court against the City of San Jose and others to challenge San Jose police officers’ practice of searching for location information collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs) without first getting a warrant.
Court Case
Apr 23, 2024

ACLU of Southern California v. City of Fresno

Action against the City of Fresno for its failure to provide records about police canine use of force, as required by the state’s Public Records Act.
Court Case
Nov 22, 2022

American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California v. Vallejo Police Department (Police misconduct)

The ACLU of Northern California has filed a lawsuit to compel the city of Vallejo to release public records that contain information about officers in the Vallejo Police Department who allegedly bent their badges after on-duty shootings as a badge of honor.
Court Case
Oct 26, 2022

Yesue et al v. The City of Sebastopol

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California, Disability Rights Advocates, Legal Aid of Sonoma County, and California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Sebastopol for enacting an ordinance that prohibits vehicles “designed or altered for human habitation” from parking anywhere within city limits during the day.