The costs of police misbehavior and misconduct are incalculable. A wide range of behaviors—from verbal abuse to fatal uses of force—have ripple effects far beyond direct harm, even when they are considered lawful. Misconduct creates distrust and fear, eroding relationships between police and communities. Public safety is compromised by a reduced willingness by the public to report crime or cooperate in police investigations. The vicarious trauma caused by police misconduct has been found to worsen health outcomes, particularly for Black Americans. Over the past decade, police misconduct lawsuits have cost cities and taxpayers over $3.2 billion. Further, increased scrutiny by the public and media following recent high-profile incidents of police misconduct have been cited as a reason for difficulty retaining and recruiting new officers.
