Policing and Accountability

Investigations show that poorly enforced off‑duty rules and the widespread practice of officers moonlighting as private security create opportunities for misconduct and gaps in accountability. Courts frequently extend qualified immunity to officers working off‑duty — for example, in Texas Shanita Terrell’s rape kit contained a deputy’s DNA and the attacker later pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault, yet her civil claim against another off‑duty deputy was dismissed on qualified immunity grounds despite internal findings and discipline, and jurisdictions are split over whether the doctrine can also shield private employers.