Police unions have too much power. It’s time to hold them accountable.
- No morePolice Union Contracts Blocking Accountability
- No moreRehiring Officers Fired for Misconduct
- No morePolice Bill of
Rights Laws - No morePolice Union Influence Over Police Budgets
- No morePolice Unions Buying Political Power
- No moreNegotiations without Community Representation
Across the country, police unions have written contracts and laws that make it almost impossible to hold police accountable. We reviewed police union contracts in nearly 600 cities and “Police Bill of Rights” laws in 22 states.
See how police unions have rigged the system in your community:
These 22 states have “Police Bill of Rights” laws granting special protections to officers who commit misconduct:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
FIND ELECTED OFFICIALS IN YOUR STATE WHO HAVE RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM POLICE & CORRECTIONS UNIONS OR PRIVATE PRISON LOBBYISTS:
View Contributions MapCities Negotiating Contracts
Hundreds of cities negotiate new police union contracts each year. Here are some cities currently negotiating:
6 Ways Police Union Contracts Block Accountability
- Destroying Records Of Police Misconduct
- Tossing Out Misconduct Complaints
- Delaying Or Restricting Interrogations Of Officers
- Giving Officers Preferential Access To Evidence
- Restricting Disciplinary Consequences
- Requiring Communities Fund Misconduct
In some cities, police union contracts require misconduct records to be destroyed.
Police unions make it harder for cities to cut police funding or change the size of the force. Over 80% of the average police budget is comprised of personnel costs that are negotiated within police union contracts.
In some cities, contracts enable officers to appeal discipline or termination to a lawyer, called an arbitrator, who the police union usually helps select.
Police unions spend millions each year to influence politicians — blocking efforts to hold the police accountable and rigging the system in favor of officers who commit misconduct.