Document: 469 U.S. 464 105 S.Ct. 873 83 L.Ed.2d 878 Elizabeth BRANDON et al., Petitioners,v.John D. HOLT, etc., al. No. 83-1622. Argued Nov. 5, 1984. Decided Jan. 21, 1985. Eric Schnapper, New York City, for petitioners. Henry L. Klein, Memphis, Tenn., respondents. Syllabus 1 In petitioners' action in Federal District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, they alleged and proved that had been assaulted by an officer of the Memphis Police Department who a history violent behavior was well known within Department. The court's judgment petitioners, addition to awarding compensatory punitive damages against officer, also awarded then Director "in his official capacity," court having found although no actual knowledge officer's disciplinary record because Department's administrative policies, he should have dangerous propensities. Appeals reversed Director, holding acted good faith accordingly entitled immunity. rejected contention tantamount city which could not claim qualified immunity its agents assert thus liable Director. concluded suit individual, city. Held: 2 1. named as defendant this case complaint filed before Monroe v. Pape, 365 167, 81 473, 5 492—which held municipalities be 1983—was overruled Monell City Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 98 2018, 56 611. course these proceedings after decided, however, made it abundantly clear capacity only capacity, petitioners claimed right recover from Thus, would amend their pleadings conform proof Court's findings fact, is appropriate decide legal issues without first insisting such formal amendment filed. Pp. 469-471. 3 2. cases public servant capacity" imposes liability on entity represents. This rule plainly implied Monell, supra; Hutto Finney, 437 678, 2565, 57 522; Owen Independence, 445 622, 100 1398, 63 673. erred failing apply distinction between suits government officials individual capacities" immunity, municipality itself at issue. 471-473. 4 719 F.2d 151, remanded. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 6 entered (Tenn.) capacity. Brandon Allen, 516 F.Supp. 1355, 1361 (WD Tenn.1981). Sixth Circuit reversed, protected 153 (1983). question presented whether payable sued or individually liable, but shielded 7 Petitioners brought 1983.1 They Robert J. police viciously them March 1977.2 Allen irregular behavior3 Department.4 8 E. Winslow Chapman approximately six months when Officer attacked It undisputed Allen's record. found, "Director propensities created threat rights safety citizens."5 Director's lack caused "policies effect during period Mr. Chapman's relatively new administration," policies included "the inherently deficient nature procedures involving discovery misconduct."6 9 sought Chapman. did defend default him both damages. award was, limited damages.7 conclusions, repeatedly unambiguously stated capacity."8 10 ground "acted immunity."9 explaining holding, Memphis. wrote: 11 "The plaintiffs' argument inapplicable simply unavailing. Under 622 . [100 673] (1980), city's can assert. But reality, plaintiffs are attempting so treat though were order avoid shields Such support precedent reason."10 12 We granted certiorari consider validity argument. 467 1204, 104 2384, 342 (1984). now reverse. 13 * 187-192, 484-486, 492 (1961), "a person" meaning 1983. That construction 1983 kind until June 6, 1978, we decided February 22, Pape overruled; explains why case. timing may explain expressly allege outset litigation suing Department.11 14 did, make response defense motion summary judgment, counsel stated: 15 "Defendant Tennessee. '[O]fficial generally represent agent. 690 n. 55, 2035 611 (1978).' "12 16 point reiterated counsel's opening statement,13 trial evidentiary rulings,14 liability,15 relating recognized our decision Newport Facts Concert, Inc., 453 247, 101 2748, 69 616 (1981), precluded Chapman.16 17 noted capacity."17 Moreover, while appeal pending left office replaced John Holt. Pursuant Rule 43(c)(1) Rules Appellate Procedure, Holt automatically substituted party.18 appears respondent Court, there even arguable basis claiming individually. 18 Given state record, late stage proceedings, fact.19 us proceed filed; regard identifying one asserted Police, Memphis," rather than particular occupied arose. II 19 least three recent arising represents provided, course, received notice opportunity respond.20 explicit. 20 defendant. nominally greater separate identity acting For purpose evaluating potential clearly equated actions with itself.21 21 522 (1978), municipal officers. Notwithstanding express recognition requiring Arkansas Commissioner Corrections pay plaintiff's fees satisfied funds, sustained Eleventh Amendment challenge. considered obvious State defendants "official capacities."22 22 Less two years later, 673 Manager Alberg, present members Council capacities."23 protects servants available those defendants. distinguished hand, "only issue," other.24 23 Because failed case, erred. Our Owen, shield requires reversal Appeals' judgment. Accordingly, remanded further consistent opinion.25 24 ordered. 25 Chief BURGER, concurring 26 presents issues: (1) matter law, capacity? (2) does impose city? 27 fetish out orderly procedure say if claimant seeks municipality, done making party defendant; will assure has respond. At latest, move close proof. 28 odd business third final tribunal, issue casual, offhand way; modern pleading less rigid earlier day, too much ask person subject suit, named. I agree REHNQUIST dubious encourage shoddy practices, courts crossed bridge. join 29 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 30 announces propositions, seem wrong me, any event mutually inconsistent. 31 Part holds add relies Civil Procedure 15(b), citations texts discussing Rule. entire presentation consisted sentence reply brief, therefore seriously handicapped deciding question—particularly since sort almost never deals, dealt regularly district courts. think does. 32 15(b) terms deals "amendments evidence." states part: 33 "When raised tried consent parties, shall treated all respects pleadings. necessary cause evidence raise upon time, judgment; failure affect result issues." To come purview Rule, must "by parties," seems me deal amendments fact impliedly consented parties already objection factual matters offered evidence. cannot, definition, defendant, "tried parties." 34 Even construed allow still finding added somehow through conduct trial. glosses over problem citing statements trial, some other occurred ante, 469-471, hard see how references bear consent. differences might involved opposed prejudice obvious, note reaches conclusion based nearly believe. 35 halfhearted thoroughly unenlightening effort bring ambit unfortunate confined facts fear bids fair spawn uncertainty upset settled authority area virtually experience, intents purposes briefed. 36 novel proposition money collectible employs official. startling doctrine—that plaintiff name agent, nonetheless succeed imposing principal named—would odds most rudimentary notions pleading, due process. long practice, sue seeking injunctive relief entity. suspect process arose small part equity traditionally personam, enforcing decrees contempt power See H. McClintock, Equity (2d ed. 1948); W. Stafford, Handbook Equity, ch. (1934). Money different; property proceeded rem, absolutely need adopted today, indeed, cited treasury capacity." 37 characterization opinions. Quoting footnote 55 690, 2035, concludes "our itself." Ante, 472. "actions Director" falls far short saying naming itself. 38 because, told, "we 'official capacities.' " said, page opinion: 39 direct Correction award, capacities, represented Attorney General, paid funds." U.S., 693, S.Ct., 2575. 40 Again, observation more readily interpreted estimate what probably happen cryptic announcement doctrine says stands. 41 which, points out, corporation officials. statement "[h]ere, contrast, issue" straightforward takes today. think, therefore, "prongs" wrong. wrong, cannot applied same If sufficient date And if, date, proper strained deduced Hutto, lawsuit take section provides, pertinent "Every who, color statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, subjects causes subjected, citizen United States deprivation rights, privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, injured equity, proceeding redress." following excerpt adequately reflects character incident: "[Petitioners], seventeen age, drove Hunt Polo Club parked dark secluded driveway area. After thirty minutes elapsed, Chevrolet pickup truck where [petitioners] parked. driver identified himself showed identification card bearing photograph Allen. ordered Muse step car. briefly questioning him, maliciously, provocation, struck neck head fist stabbed cut ear knife. As break into car [petitioner] A. seated, jumped driver's side quickly away. fired shot escaping vehicle revolver. bullet shattered front window followed high speed chase ended St. Joseph's Hospital East, medical care assistance reported unprovoked attack Allen." 1357 file records contained complaints "serious abuse use unnecessary force." Id., 1358. "reputation displaying maladaptive among officers precinct." Ibid. colleagues commented thusly incident them: "They finally caught up him; he's quack; something time can't get of." fellow regarded "mental case"; rode squad alone reluctance ride boasted killing man duty. Additionally, "Officer often wished knew exact spread chest killed. referred pair gloves possession 'killing gloves,' ceremoniously put hands called scene crime." 1360. Regarding procedures, "Due code silence induced peer pressure rank-and-file supervisors, few—if any—formal ever personnel. Furthermore, citizens, little apparently taken offending officer. Instead, standard form letter, signature, mailed each complainant, assuring Department, taken. tended discourage follow-up measures complaining citizen. Perhaps, belief better act later review board responsible obviously inadequate solution. end twofold: 1) highly conducive 'covering up' misconduct; 2) many supervisors totally insulated wrongdoing administration." 1361. Petitioner recovered $21,310.75 out-of-pocket expenses; petitioner $5,000. App. 36a. initially summarized: "This civil Honorable Chapman, director former F.Supp., 1356 (emphasis added). "Mr. agent Department," id., 1359 added), "[b]ecause finds plaintiffs." 1360 Finally, concluded: "Accordingly, case." 154 inadequate. 153. 154. caption body "E. Police." Complaint, 1355 Tenn.). Mayor named; favor. 13a-18a. Brief 19. Counsel versus 1978 Supreme another way agent." 20-21. Tr. 202 ("Mr. individually, capacity") (statement trial). certain out-of-court admissible employed namely 17-21, 45-47. 8, supra. attorney argued "since Defendant Issue Damages C-78-2076 Tenn.), p. F.2d, 152, 153, 154; Order Denying Petition Rehearing En Banc, 151 (CA6) ("We do believe itself"). 43(c)(1), "Public officers; death separation office," provides: appeals pendency dies, resigns otherwise ceases hold office, abate successor party. Proceedings substitution party, misnomer affecting substantial disregarded. An omission enter substitution." 40.3; Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 25(d)(1). 15(b); Moore, Practice ¶ 15.13[2], 15-157 1984) (amendment time); 15-168 (Rule allowed "so opposing prejudiced presenting case"); C. Wright & Miller, 1491, pp. 453, 454 (1971 Supp.1983) "intended promote objective merits relative skills counsel"); ibid. ("[C]ourts interpret [Rule ] liberally permit whenever doing effectuate underlying rule"). Here, notice; proceedings. "official-capacity 55. 630, 1404-05. governmental differs significantly previous decisions. cases, various capacities. issue, ." 638, 18, 1409, alternative affirming Appeals, respondents argue establish injury "policy custom" "may fairly said policy" 694, 2037. address argument, it. Monsanto Spray-Rite Service Corp., 465 752, 759-761, 1464, 1468-1469, 79 775 (1984); Adickes S.H. Kress Co., 398 144, 147, 2, 90 1598, 1602, 142 (1970); Duignan States, 274 195, 200, 47 566, 568, 71 L.Ed. 996 (1927).

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