Opinion ID: 71388
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: County of Volusia

Text: 12 The Rooneys also assert that Volusia County maintained a custom or policy of allowing patrol vehicles to drive recklessly. Consequently, they argue that they should be able to establish their section l983 claim based upon Volusia County's custom or policy that led to their constitutional deprivation. As the district court correctly pointed out, an inquiry into a governmental entity's custom or policy is relevant only when a constitutional deprivation has occurred. 2 See Vineyard v. County of Murray, Ga., 990 F.2d 1207, 1211 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1024, 114 S.Ct. 636, 126 L.Ed.2d 594 (1993). 3 Since we have determined that Deputy Watson's conduct did not cause the Rooneys to suffer a constitutional deprivation, we need not inquire into Volusia County's policy and custom relating to patrol vehicle operation and training. See Los Angeles v. Heller, 475 U.S. 796, 799, 106 S.Ct. 1571, 1573, 89 L.Ed.2d 806 (1986) (finding that a departmental policy or regulation authorizing the use of constitutionally excessive force is not relevant when a person has not been deprived of a constitutional right as a result of actions taken by an individual police officer); see also Roach v. City of Fredericktown, Mo., 882 F.2d 294, 297-98 (8th Cir.1989) (finding that a municipality may be held liable under section l983 for inadequate training only after determining that the plaintiff has suffered a constitutional deprivation as a result of the municipal employee's conduct). Therefore, our finding that the Rooneys did not suffer any constitutional deprivation makes it unnecessary to consider Volusia County's policy or custom. 4