Police Misconduct & Excessive Force
 

At The Cromer Law Group PLLC, we stand up for individuals and families harmed by police brutality, unlawful detention, and violations of civil rights across Detroit, Southfield, and Michigan. Our attorneys have more than 27 years of experience litigating police-misconduct and excessive-force cases in both federal and state courts.

 

Holding Law Enforcement Accountable

 

Police officers and agencies are sworn to protect—not abuse—the public.
When that trust is broken, victims can seek justice under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which allows lawsuits against government officials for constitutional violations such as unlawful force, false arrest, and denial of medical care.

Key precedents include:

• Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978) — municipalities can be held liable when a policy or custom causes a constitutional violation.

• Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) — sets the standard for judging police use of force under the Fourth Amendment’s “objective reasonableness” test.

• Sixth Circuit resources: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Our firm routinely requests and analyzes body-cam and dash-cam footage, internal-affairs records, and training policies to establish patterns of misconduct and municipal liability.

 

Types of Police Misconduct Cases We Handle

​

• Excessive or deadly force (shootings, chokeholds, tasers)

• False arrest / unlawful imprisonment

• Malicious prosecution / fabricated evidence

• Jail or detention abuse and neglect

• Racial profiling, retaliation, and discrimination

• Failure to intervene or supervise subordinate officers

We pursue damages for physical injury, psychological trauma, and wrongful death while pushing for departmental reforms through litigation and settlement negotiation.

 

Our Proven Legal Approach

 

The Cromer Law Group PLLC develops every case with meticulous preparation and proven strategy:

• Immediate evidence preservation (FOIA and discovery requests)

• Expert review of police policies, forensics, and medical records

• Motions addressing qualified immunity, municipal liability, and summary judgment

• Negotiation for maximum settlement or full-scale federal trial advocacy

We have litigated numerous civil-rights and police-misconduct cases in the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, achieving justice for victims and accountability for public agencies.

 

Know Your Rights After Police Misconduct

​

1. Seek medical attention for any injuries immediately.

2. Document everything — photographs, witness information, officer names, badge numbers.

3. Do not speak with internal-affairs investigators without legal counsel.

4. Contact a civil-rights attorney quickly to preserve body-cam and dispatch data before it’s erased.

Useful resources:

• U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Rights Division

• ACLU of Michigan – Know Your Rights

 

Why Choose The Cromer Law Group PLLC

​

• 27 years of courtroom and investigative experience

• Deep familiarity with Michigan law-enforcement agencies and procedures

• Track record of federal § 1983 litigation success

• Personalized representation and relentless advocacy for justice

 

Contact Our Civil-Rights Team Today

 

If you or a loved one suffered injury or injustice at the hands of law enforcement, call (248) 809-6790 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.
We represent clients throughout Detroit, Southfield, Oakland County, Wayne County, and across Michigan.

 

Legal Disclaimer

 

This content is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.