Document: 480 U.S. 257 107 S.Ct. 1114 94 L.Ed.2d 293 CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, Petitioner,v.Lois Thurston KIBBE, Administratrix of Estate Clinton Thurston. No. 85-1217. Feb. 25, 1987. Rehearing Denied April 27, See 481 1033, 1966. PER CURIAM. 1 We granted certiorari to resolve the question whether consistently with our decision in Monell v. New York City Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 98 2018, 56 611 (1978), a municipality can be held liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for inadequate training its employees. 475 1064, 106 1374, 89 600 (1986). In addressing that issue, we anticipated would able reach "fairly included" related question, see this Court's Rule 21.1(a), more than negligence is required order establish such liability. 2 The case having now been fully briefed and orally argued, conclude cannot question. Although petitioner city Springfield argues here heightened standard does not suffice requirement municipal policy, it appears District Court did object jury instruction stating gross suffice, App. 234-235, indeed proposed own same effect. Id., at 28. Nor argue higher Appeals. Brief Defendant-Appellant Reply 85-1078 (CA1). It has informed us no 3 also on two other questions: "single incident" rule Oklahoma Tuttle, 471 808, 105 2427, 85 791 (1985), limited application one act by officer, policy may inferred from conduct several police officers during single incident absent evidence prior misconduct department or conscious policymakers. special circumstances explaining failure preserve 4 ordinarily will decide questions raised litigated lower courts. California Taylor, 353 553, 556, n. 2, 77 1037, 1039, 1034 (1957). That force where party seeking issue failed instruction, since 51 Federal Rules Civil Procedure provides "[n]o assign as error giving . [of] an unless he objects thereto before retires consider verdict." Here, inability makes inappropriate vehicle resolving because close interrelationship between matters, presented are sufficient importance warrant review independently. 5 dissent need concern ourselves about Springfield's was passed Appeals below. Post, 263-266. There doubtless jurisdictional bar reaching it, so. Carlson Green, 446 14, 17, 100 1468, 1470, 64 15 (1980). think, however, there considerable prudential objection reversing judgment instructions accepted, itself requested. fortunate enough entertain without outcome justify running risk. any event, disagree dissent's reading Appeals' opinion, do believe pursued extraordinary course considering issue—which had even arguments court—any inclined 777 F.2d 801, 804, 809-810 (CA1 1985). (We refrain elaborating upon latter point, general application.) Unlike present proper occasion exercise discretion despite petitioner's it. explicitly set forth petition certiorari, id., 814, 2432, objected respondent's brief opposition merits brief. 815, S.Ct., 2432. addition, argued Ibid. contrast, stage unsurprising, addressed unreasonable require respondent pain waiver only actually presented, but his fairly included within uncontested earlier. Respondent strenuously raising first point she notice case—in her response 85-1078. 6 For these reasons, have concluded writ should dismissed improvidently granted. Belcher Stengel, 429 118, 97 514, 50 269 (1976) (per curiam). 7 so ordered. 8 Justice O'CONNOR, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, POWELL join, dissenting. 9 providing training, and, if so, what govern imposition my view, properly Court, I merits. 10 * On evening September 28, 1981, Police Department received telephone call reporting someone called apartment's occupants threatened come after them knife. Later calls reported individual identified broken apartment door assaulted woman staying apartment. When arrived scene, they discovered abducted driven away car. A short while later, Thurston's spotted officer driving unmarked stopped intersection, walked up himself drove away. 11 gave chase, soon joined members Department. Two roadblock stop Thurston, past obstacle stopping. As fired tires vehicle; later nick found left rear wheel. At second roadblock, Officer Kenneth Schaub placed across lane traffic, stood middle lanes attempted flag down automobile. again stop. direction 12 Theodore Perry, who waiting near motorcycle, heard Schaub's shot chase. Accelerating cars, Perry pulled abreast window driver's side swerved left, dropped back. Rather remain behind vehicle, twice moved car's window; both occasions, when towards him, gun. Apparently hit head shot; car rolled taken, unconscious, hospital, died time later. 13 Respondent, administratrix estate, brought suit Massachusetts 1983, alleging deprived civil rights. After trial, returned verdicts against favor officers. awarded $1 compensatory damages $500 punitive $50,000 city. denied city's motions directed verdict notwithstanding verdict. appealed refusal grant either verdict, claimed charge. 14 First Circuit affirmed. 801 (1985). showing injuries were inflicted pursuant government "policy custom" "argued primarily custom inadequately officers." F.2d, 803. observed plurality opinion "have doubts harm allegedly caused could meet 1983's causation," "continue[d] [that] viable theory liability." 804. record regarding Department's admittedly "sparse," testimony apprehension fleeing vehicles grossly inadequate. infer, fact used deadly force, train alternative methods stopping played substantial part bringing death. 808. number additional "policies" "customs" might case. court noted, "these policies proven sufficiently linked impose 809. Turning challenge given case, noted argument liability "could predicated isolated negligent must instead based 'a pattern deliberate supervisory inaction indifference.' " emphasized distinction reckless conduct," deficient inform "that find which amounted negligence." 810. II 16 central notes, simple ante, 258.1 17 clearly reached decided consideration appeal charge, denial First, instructions, specifically considered charge "deliberate indifference." rejected argument, concluding adequate "instructed Today holds preserved make timely 51. Ante, 258-259. Appeals, treat barred 51, perhaps pressed Plaintiff-Appellee (CA1), pp. 21-24. decline, basis, affirmance 18 Moreover, treats waived render "law case" purposes appellate Ebker Tan Jay International, Ltd., 739 812, 825, (CA2 1984); Hanson Ford Motor Co., 278 586, 592-593 (CA8 1960); C. Wright & A. Miller, Practice 2558 (1971). arguing "even 26, 41. "pattern" necessary relied Wellington Daniels, 717 932 (CA4 1983), Languirand Hayden, 220 (CA5 1983). those cases, courts proof ground imposed 'tacit authorization' 'deliberate indifference' constitutional injuries." supra, 936; 226, 7, 227-228. 19 viewed directly ruled issue. began previously recognized "grossly training" basis imposing acknowledged, (1984), "raised causation." then cited footnote Tuttle states: "[I]t open policymaker's 'gross negligence' establishing practices 'policy' constitutes 'moving force' subsequent unconstitutional conduct, policymaker required." U.S., 824, 2436, (emphasis added). Notwithstanding reservations expressed believe" "a liability" 1983. 20 contend pass Instead, finds, briefs filed below, 258. Certainly fair position culpability unclear: different points indifference, p. 15; recklessness "gross, palpable, culpable" negligence, 8; indifference 13. Perhaps finding negligence. read fashion, however; proceeded some "more policymaker," Having done clear reasons why decision. employed See, e.g., Adickes S.H. Kress 398 144, 147, 90 1598, 1602, 26 142 (1970); Husty United States, 282 694, 702, 240, 242, 75 L.Ed. 629 (1931); Duignan 274 195, 200, 47 566, 568, 71 996 (1927). expressly appropriate jurisdiction; therefore entirely light precedents III 21 "causes" violation. reasoned originally enacted, person "subjected, subjected," another deprivation federally protected By torts "caused" tort committed, statutory language suggested Congress "did intend attach causation absent." 692, 2036. 22 support conclusion legislative history Rights Act 1871, precursor showed "Sherman amendment," vicarious municipalities damage "riotou[s] tumultuou[s] assembl[y]" private individuals their borders, Cong. Globe, 42d Cong., 1st Sess., 749 (1871), amendment questionable validity. determined address intended permit agents employees, difficulties perceived Sherman apply respondeat superior. intend, enacting vicariously tortious "execution [the] government's inflicts injury" 2037. 23 Given importance, distinguishing direct liability, repeatedly stressed causal connection deprivation. 824-825, 8, (requiring "affirmative link" violation); Polk County Dodson, 454 312, 102 445, 70 509 (1981) (municipal "moving force" deprivation). itself, commanded link violation readily apparent: "evidence needed statement corporation, exercise." 822-823, 2435-2436. 24 execution compel violation, rights becomes difficult discern. sense, course, almost injury agent employee ultimately traced policy. Finding satisfied remote connection, eviscerate distinction, municipality's violations. limits careful analysis, each instance, alleged reasonably moving 25 inherently tenuous one. program authorizes use vehicles; rather, taught "inadequate," complete resorted engaging conduct. difficulty officers' misconduct, factors operation equally likely contribute play predominant injury: disposition officers, extent experience similar incidents, actions involved, forth. To conclude, particular omissions constituted officer's large intervening causes work harm, largely matter speculation conjecture. Because affirmative view "inadequacy" serve amounts disregard persons domain. "causation" interpretation rather common law. Cf. Martinez California, 444 277, 285, 559, 62 (1980) (injury "too consequence" official "proximately caused" state law). Analogy traditional principles, shows law willing trace distant cognitive component defendant's fault results Restatement (Second) Torts 501, Comment a, 591 (1965) ("[A] permitted bears relation plaintiff's him liable, although merely negligent, permissible"). generally W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, R. Owen, Prosser Keeton Law 34, 213 (5th ed. 1984). Similarly, inadequacy consequences. Negligence alone satisfy 27 show form phrasing requisite degree variously indifference" "amounting Fiacco Rensselaer, 783 319, 326 1986) ("deliberate indifference"); 227 (so constitute Patzner Burkett, 779 1363, 1367 1985) inevitably occurs"); 937, (no "remain[ed] indifferent to" unwarranted injury). Indeed, adopted standard, requiring Voutour Vitale, 761 820 decisions reflect "negligence" procedures material element factor federal 28 insufficient conducted consequences citizens' necessary, out claim [Thurston] reversed remanded entry behalf Springfield. 29 made unconstitutional, plaintiff introduce existence policy; causing harm. carry burden proving elements introducing concerning issue: "where considerably every municipality, deprivation." 2436 (footnotes omitted). result odds "prevent wrong ascribed decisionmakers." 821, 2435. 30 analysis "fault" relies kind inference Tuttle. introduced trial instructed techniques apprehending suspects: told stand street put hands motion; move using lights siren signify suspect pull over 807. They obstacles completely block road. deviated accepted practice. inferred, chase "partial roadblocks effective method slowing unwilling stop," ibid.; successful vehicle;2 instruct 31 chain inferences drawn conflicts "considerably municipality." 2436. record, apart speculative jurors manifested indifference. prove essential claim, entered Accordingly reverse remand respectfully dismissing (1985) Because, below inconsistent 's fault, infra, 271-272, aspects speculated three alternatives vehicles: "deploying cars crowd surround car"; "calling reinforcements"; "sheer persistence" hope "might worn down." force. International Association Chiefs Police, Manual Model Traffic Policies Procedures, 1.20, 91 (1986) ("[B]oxing in, heading off, ramming, alongside approved authorized"). alternative, reinforcements, implemented chase—10 involved trying vehicle. third suggestion appear following siren.

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