National Police Accountability Project

09/04/2026

Christian Contreras (Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC) is a member of our board and fierce advocate for people and their families whose lives have been harmed or taken by law enforcement misconduct and violence.

Since 2022, he's fought on behalf of the family of Richard Matus, Jr., who died of a fentanyl overdose while awaiting trial in Riverside County Jail— 1 of an astounding 19 deaths in the jail system that year. Last month, he secured millions on their behalf, including Matus's daughter Gia.

"I sincerely hope that one day you all will acknowledge your accountability,” said Gia to the opposing party. "As the grown men that you all are, I hope you find the courage to take responsibility for your actions and understand the impact caused on others."

But when law enforcement fails to take accountability, lawyers like Christian are there to demand justice. Read more about the case via the Los Angeles Times.

Riverside County must pay a family millions for the in-custody death of a beloved father who overdosed in his cell while awaiting trial in 2022.

09/02/2026

🏛We're hiring a law clerk to join us in summer 2027 to help us hold law enforcement accountable.

The clerk will be a critical part of our team, assisting with every aspect of our legal and policy work including drafting research memoranda, attending case strategy meetings, assisting with drafting briefs, developing legislative strategies, and supporting all phases of litigation.

This paid internship is open to 2L law students with a commitment to public service law. Remote with in-person options available.

🌐Learn more at https://nationalpoliceaccountability.org/careers/

08/20/2026

“It's going to take a close look at the law to see whether this is the way we want to live or whether we can change that.”

James Cook, attorney at Law Office of James Cook, reflects on how his experiences during the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s shaped his perspective and continue to inform the work he does today.

At our Florida training, James shared his experience with other attorneys interested in taking on this work and brought lessons from his practice to a new generation of advocates.

08/19/2026

“People have rights. People do not realize that they have these rights.”

Sarah M. Foster, attorney at Hartenstein Poor and Foster LLC, shares why learning from others and expanding the tools available to attorneys is essential to protecting people whose rights have been violated.

Her perspective reflects what this training was about: coming together to learn, build connections, and broaden what we can do for the people we represent.

08/19/2026

🤳Next Thursday, August 27 at 2:00pm ET, we're teaming up with Justice Education Project for "Algorithms. Accountability. Justice.," a live conversation on how algorithmic technologies are shaping policing and the courts, and what these systems mean for young people.

📲With panelists Lisa Thurau (Executive Director, Strategies for Youth) and David A. Robinson (Attorney & Board Member, NPAP), we'll examine the concerns raised in JEP's Youth Agenda on Algorithmic Tools in the Courts, including transparency, accountability, due process, and youth rights.

🗓 Algorithms. Accountability. Justice.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
2:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM CT

🔗Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_taDy-5LmQKWjolCmJtXk6A #/registration

08/18/2026

"When we have more abuses, we need more accountability, and civil rights attorneys are the people to do that.”

Our Executive Director, Lauren Bonds, speaks to the unprecedented level of federal law enforcement violence and misconduct we are seeing and what this moment demands from the civil rights bar.

She also highlights a critical part of effective advocacy: community. You can know the law, prepare extensively, and use every resource available, but this work is stronger when you learn from attorneys who have litigated these cases, share what you know, and build relationships with others doing the same work.

Accountability requires more than individual expertise. It requires a community equipped to pursue it.

08/18/2026

Today, we mourn the loss of Richard Samuel Paz, a longtime NPAP board member, mentor, and a beloved leader in our movement and community.

As one of the first Latino leaders of the ACLU of Southern California and a longtime leader of the national ACLU, Sam helped build the movement for police accountability and civil rights in Los Angeles and far beyond. He was a brilliant and dogged litigator whose work inspired generations of lawyers—including many who would go on to become leaders in their own right.

Those who knew Sam remember his genius, but just as often, they remember his kindness and humility. He gave his time generously, always willing to advise a lawyer taking on a police misconduct case. He helped recruit lawyers to NPAP and was instrumental in building this organization into what it is today. At one point, NPAP even had a membership drive called “Be Like Sam,” encouraging our members to follow his example: share their knowledge, help one another, and bring more lawyers into the fight.

Sam’s nomination to the federal bench was blocked after fierce opposition from police unions—a profound loss for the judiciary and for our movement. But he never stopped doing the work. He continued fighting for justice, mentoring younger lawyers, and making “good trouble.”

We are grateful for the decades Sam gave to this movement, to NPAP, and to the countless people he inspired and helped along the way. His legacy lives on in the lawyers he mentored, the cases he shaped, and the work we do together every day.

Our deepest condolences are with Sam’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

08/17/2026

“It’s easy to believe that we’ll never have the type of accountability for wrongdoing because it’s so challenging.”

Our Board President, Jon Feinberg, reflects on the challenges of pursuing accountability and the lawyers across the country who have the skills and willingness to take on these cases.

His message is a reminder that even when this work feels difficult, building a stronger community of lawyers equipped to challenge unlawful conduct is essential to protecting civil rights.

Join us in training advocates to hold the federal government accountable.

08/13/2026

Federal accountability means making sure our rights are meaningful.

Jaba Tsitsuashvili, attorney at the Institute for Justice, shares why our constitutional rights must be enforced and why now is the time for lawyers to get involved in protecting them.

That's why we gathered students, attorneys, and advocates in Florida: to share knowledge, build community, and grow the legal capacity this moment demands.

08/12/2026

Civil rights and law enforcement accountability aren't niche issues; they're fundamental. And right now, they're urgent.

Ashley Miranda, FIU Law student, shares why these issues extend far beyond the immigration context and why every lawyer needs to stay informed.

At our training in Florida, we brought together students, attorneys, and advocates to learn from one another, build connections, and strengthen the movement for accountability.