As we embark on a new millennium, there is a growing concern about the misconduct of police officers in U.S. society and a well-evidenced trend toward suing law enforcement officials for acts of misconduct and abuse of authority. Today, it is more important than ever before for individuals involved in the administration and operations of criminal justice agencies--those responsible for creating or implementing policies and practices--to understand the principles of civil liability. This concise, well-organized text integrates civil law, social science, and police studies, providing an easy-to-understand analysis of the impact of legal decisions on issues confronting law enforcement officers and administrators.