42 U.S. Code § 1983 - Civil action for deprivation of rights allows a citizen to sue a state or local official for violation of one’s constitutionally protected rights. This has been used to hold local and state law enforcement accountable for misconduct such as use of excessive force, wrongful arrest and wrongful death. It has also been used to hold politicians accountable acts such as preventing citizens from speaking in a public meeting.
Unfortunately while 42 U.S. Code § 1983 applies to state and local personnel it does not include federal personnel nor does it apply to state personnel operating under federal authority such as local officers assigned to a DEA task force. This makes it virtually impossible for a citizen to hold a federal official accountable for misconduct, having to rely instead on having a government agency investigating itself. This suggestion involves amending 42 U.S. Code § 1983 to include federal personnel.
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