Police Unions Systematically Block Accountability and Reinstate Fired Officers

Police union contracts across the U.S. include provisions that obstruct accountability: mandatory delays before officer interrogation (the 'Garrity rule'), expungement of disciplinary records, arbitration that reinstates fired officers, and access to witness statements before giving testimony. Research by the University of Chicago found that in cities where police unions negotiated stronger contracts, civilian complaints fell and use of force complaints rose. A Reuters investigation found hundreds of officers fired for misconduct who were reinstated through union arbitration. Officers involved in high-profile killings including those in Tamir Rice's case were previously flagged for misconduct. Union political contributions flowed heavily to candidates opposing reform.