“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.” — Psalm 119:142
What “Monell” Means (Explained Simply · Legally Precise · Court-Ready)
Monell refers to the United States Supreme Court decision Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978). It defines when a city or police department can be held directly liable for civil-rights violations.
In plain terms:
- You can sue the city — not just individual officers.
- Liability exists when harm flows from how the city operates.
- This is about systems, not isolated mistakes.
The four paths to Monell liability
A written directive or rule that authorizes or causes unconstitutional conduct.
Example: A formal policy permitting unsafe restraint techniques.
An unwritten but routine practice that supervisors tolerate. Custom equals consent.
Example: Chronic overly tight handcuffing with no discipline.
When inadequate training makes constitutional violations predictable.
Example: Officers confusing assault vs. battery or lacking instruction on cuff adjustment.
When leadership knows — or should know — of misconduct and does nothing. Silence becomes approval.
- Delayed discovery of baton use
- No timely internal affairs review
- Unexplained blank dispatch tape
- Conflicting testimony without accountability
This is classic Monell ratification.
The role of Monell in the appeal
“This was not a one-off error. It was the foreseeable result of policies, training failures, and lack of supervision.”
