Police Practices

Police have the vital and difficult job of protecting public safety. Performing this job effectively does not require sacrificing civil liberties. All Pennsylvania police agencies -- from the state patrol to city police forces -- need to respect the rights of individuals while enforcing the law. And when allegations of misconduct arise, there must be policies and mechanisms to hold police accountable for their actions.

RESOURCES

• You and the Police: Rights, Responsibilities and Reality - A guide to legal rights when interacting with police.
• What To Do If You're Stopped by the Police
• What To Do If You're Stopped by the Police (Spanish version)

The 2003 video produced by the ACLU-PA Greater Pittsburgh Chapter with Nommo Productions, Pull Over... What to Do will be posted here shortly, and will also be available on our YouTube channel.

Events

• Taller de Conozca Sus Derechos (Know Your Rights Workshop) - September 19, Bethlehem

Press Releases

• ACLU of PA Sues Police Over Citations For Profanity 05.12.2010
• Miles Incident Prompts ACLU, B-PEP Community Forum 03.08.2010
• ACLU of PA Lauds Senate Committee After Passage of Bill to Protect Sportsmen's Privacy 01.26.2010
• Rights Groups Sue Authorities for First Amendment Violations in Advance of G-20 Summit 09.11.2009
• ACLU Files Suit On Behalf of Pittsburgh Man Arrested For Taping Police 08.13.2009
• State House Passes Bill to Protect Constitutional Rights of Outdoorsmen, Wins Praise from ACLU of PA 06.01.2009
• ACLU of PA Announces Settlement for Man Arrested for Videotaping Police Officers in Public 12.18.2008
• ACLU Demands Police Accountability Plan to Ensure Success of Crime Plan 01.31.2008
• Canadian Citizen Sues PA State Trooper for Centre County Traffic Stop 07.09.2007

Legal Cases

• Walters v. Zubris (Man arrested for swearing at a police officer)
• Scarpa v. Pawlowski, et al (Woman charged with disorderly conduct for swearing)
• Matheny v. Allegheny County, et. al. (Pittsburgh man arrested for audiotaping police in public)
• Hookway v. East Vincent Township and Borough of Spring City (Man cited for videotaping police)
• Commonwealth v. Herb (Woman cited with disorderly conduct for swearing in her own home)