Discriminatory policing investigations

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment forbids officials from enforcing the law differently on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, or similar characteristics. These claims require evidence of discriminatory effect and discriminatory purpose, which usually means showing how similarly situated people were treated.

What an investigation looks for

• Stop, search, and arrest data for the officer and the agency
• Comparable incidents in which people were treated differently
• Statements, messages, and social media revealing bias
• Earlier complaints of discrimination, and how the agency responded

How these cases are investigated

In discriminatory policing cases, the work most often involves pattern and practice evidence, public records requests, officer and agency background research, and witness location and interviews. What a particular case needs depends on what evidence already exists and what is at risk of being lost.

Nationwide, and civil rights only

Doug Roberts investigates discriminatory policing cases for attorneys, families, and individuals nationwide from Sheridan, Wyoming. The practice handles civil rights cases exclusively. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; its work is to find and document the evidence.