Document: 489 U.S. 378 109 S.Ct. 1197 103 L.Ed.2d 412 CITY OF CANTON, OHIO, Petitionerv.Geraldine HARRIS et al. No. 86-1088. Argued Nov. 8, 1988. Decided Feb. 28, 1989. Syllabus Although respondent fell down several times and was incoherent following her arrest by officers of petitioner city's police department, the summoned no medical assistance for her. After release, she diagnosed as suffering from emotional ailments requiring hospitalization subsequent outpatient treatment. Some time later, filed suit seeking, inter alia, to hold city liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 its violation right, Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, receive necessary attention while in custody. The jury ruled favor on this claim upon basis evidence indicating that a regulation gave shift commanders sole discretion determine whether detainee required care, suggesting were not provided with any special training make determination when summon such care an injured detainee. Both District Court, rejecting motion judgment notwithstanding verdict, Court Appeals, ruling there had been error n submitting "failure train" jury, held that, Circuit precedent, municipality is failure train force, where plaintiff proves acted recklessly, intentionally, or gross negligence, lack so reckless grossly negligent deprivation persons' constitutional rights substantially certain result. However, finding aspects Court's instructions might have led believe it could find against mere respondeat superior theory, jury's verdict did state which respondent, Appeals reversed remanded case new trial. Held: 1. writ certiorari will be dismissed improvidently granted respondent's failed preserve review principal issues before Court. Since petition directly addressed critical question here—the actionability municipality's train—and since brief opposition neither raised objection press claims courts below nor informed arguably conceded inadequate actionable, exercise deem these defects waived. Oklahoma City v. Tuttle, 471 808, 816, 105 2427, 2432, 85 791. Moreover, even if asserted present makes here same fashion actually occurred, does affect jurisdiction. Pp. 385-385. 2. A may, circumstances, violations resulting employees. 385-392. (a) Petitioner's contention liability can imposed only municipal policy itself unconstitutional rejected, light rule established are limited circumstances allegation liability. 386-387. (b) inadequacy may serve relevant respect amounts deliberate indifference persons whom come into contact. In contrast Appeals' overly broad rule, "deliberate indifference" standard most consistent Monell New York Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 694, 98 2018, 2037, 56 611 unless "policy" "custom" moving force behind violation. Only reflects "deliberate" "conscious" choice properly thought actionable "policy." satisfied program represents responsible. Rather, focus must adequate tasks particular employees perform, not, justifiably said represent "city policy." identified deficiency closely related ultimate injury. Thus, still prove caused officers' needs. To adopt lesser standards fault causation would open municipalities unprecedented 1983; result de facto liability, rejected Monell; engage federal endless second-guessing employee-training programs, task they ill suited t undertake; implicate serious questions federalism. 388-392. 3. presently record satisfy should opportunity left remand, proof ultimately one than adopted. P. 392. 798 F.2d 1414 (CA6 1986), vacated remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, JJ., joined, Parts I, II, III O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, except n. 11. concurring opinion, post, p. 393. part dissenting part, SCALIA Carter G. Phillips, Washington, D.C., petitioner. David Rudovsky, Philadelphia, Pa., respondents. Justice WHITE 1 case, we asked ever 19831 We permitted statute. 2 * April 1978, Geraldine Harris arrested Canton Police Department. Mrs. brought station patrol wagon. 3 When arrived at station, found sitting floor She needed attention, responded remark. inside processing, slumped two occasions. Eventually, lying prevent falling again. No Harris. about hour, released custody, taken ambulance (provided family) nearby hospital. There, ailments; hospitalized week received treatment additional year. 4 commenced action alleging many state-law officials. Among seeking Harris' 5 trial claims. Evidence presented indicated pursuant regulation,2 authorized determine, their discretion, care. Tr. 2-139—2-143. addition, testimony also suggested (beyond first-aid training) Ibid.; App. Pet. Cert. 4a. 6 At close evidence, submitted all one: provide explained theory follows: 7 "The construed manner favorable demonstrate custom vesting complete authority supervisor administered prisoners. Further, carte blanche without recognize future misconduct almost inevitable result." Id., 16a. 8 On appeal, Sixth affirmed aspect analysis, holding "a [where] . prove[s] negligence." 5a.3 stated prerequisite "that deprivations Ibid. jury. trial, because theory. Because claim, ordered. 9 petitioned certiorari, arguing Circuit's represented impermissible broadening 1983. petition. 485 933, 108 1105, 99 267 (1988). II 10 first address granted, "petitioner now argues Court." Brief Respondent 5. 11 think clear enough petitioner's three "Questions Presented" encompass us case: Under what 1983? See i. issue directly, attacking inconsistent precedents. id., 8-12. It clear—as argument, Oral Arg. 34, 54—that our granting raise below. 12 As co tention made below, failure, jurisdiction; oppose grant based pressed dismiss granted. "[T]he 'decision commitment scarce judicial resources view deciding merits petition.' " St. Louis Praprotnik, 112, 120, 915, 922, 107 (1988) (quoting 791 (1985)). expressly admonished litigants position: "Nonjurisdictional sort later certiorari; consider within defect waived." supra, 2432. 13 true litigation posture has consistent; importantly, 'inadequate training' [is] means establishing Section 1983." Reply Petitioner 4, 3; see Petition Rehearing 85-3314 (CA6), each stage proceedings contested ground, objections varying specificity. opposed issue, 4-369; claimed "no practice [of] den[ying] prisoners," Motion Judgment Notwithstanding Verdict C80-18-A (ND Ohio), 1; argued denying prisoners case. Appellant pp. 26-29. Indeed, specifically contended precedents facts similar these, 3, conflict decision Tuttle. 29. These various presentations inexact denied matter appropriate proceedings. But least yield now. 14 Here municipality, acting force—resulting "substantially result"—§ permits actions. challenged soundness conclusion, inform prior point Consequently, abstain addressing us. 15 (1978), decided causes issue. Respondeat vicarious attach 694-695, 2037-38. "It 'execution government's inflicts injury' Springfield Kibbe, 480 257, 267, 1114, 1119, 94 293 (1987) (O'CONNOR, J , dissenting) Monell, U.S., 2037-38). 16 inquiry direct causal link between alleged deprivation. difficult one; deeply divided series cases followed Monell;4 again today. 17 Based difficulty defining contours urges "the unconstitutional." 15. Whether valid construction unresolved. See, e.g., 147, S.Ct., 936 (BRENNAN, judgment); 824, 7, 2437-38, 7. approach, outcome rather clear: reverse remand entered petitioner.5 There little doubt face regarding detainees constitutional. states jailer "shall [a person needing care] hospital treatment, permission his supervisor. ." 33. guarantees violated policy. 18 Nor, more, automatically happened apply manner, then rest superior. however, concededly unconstitutionally applied employee, employee adequately trained wrong train. For reasons conclude, Courts issue,6 reject policies B 19 Though agree court employees, cannot proper, conclude Unlike liability—on agreed, 6, supra,—there substantial division among lower degree evidenced inaction permitted.7 today contact.8 This admonition andPolk County Dodson, 454 312, 326, 102 445, 454, 70 509 (1981), "moving [behind] violation." evidences inhabitants shortcoming "policy custom" BRENNAN's Pembaur Cincinnati, 475 469, 483-484, 106 1292, 1300-1301, 89 452 (1986) (plurality) put it: "[M]unicipal attaches where—and where—a follow course alternatives" policymakers. 823, 2436 (opinion J.). municipality—a defined cases—can 20 Monell's merely existing class officers, responsible.9 That much true. like one, adequate; becomes seem contrary common sense assert taking reasonable steps happen duties assigned specific need more different obvious, likely rights, policymakers reasonably deliberately indifferent need.10 event, proper fairly responsible, injury.11 21 resolving adequacy relation perform. officer unsatisfactorily alone suffice fasten city, officer's shortcomings resulted factors other faulty program. 268, 1120 dissenting); 821, 2435 be, example, otherwise sound occasionally negligently administered. Neither injury accident avoided better training, sufficient equip him avoid injury-causing conduct. Such encounter injury, yet condemn enable respond usual recurring situations deal. And plainly, mistakes; fact do says legal liable. 22 circumstance Thus hand, needs.12 Would deficient respect? Predicting how hypothetically well-trained easy factfinder, particularly matters involved, who well free perhaps react very untrained circumstances. judge doing respective jobs, task. 23 virtually every instance able something "could done" unfortunate incident. permitting cities go forward municipalities—a 693-694, 2037. employ e-training programs. undertake, Cf. Rizzo Goode, 423 362, 378-380, 96 598, 607-608, 46 561 (1976). 24 respondent's—alleging suffered—are cognizable 1983, inhabitants. IV 25 final whether, suggests, possible grounds prevail. 57-58. meet set forth above. But, (which precedent) today, 4-389—4-390. adopted deal remand. V 26 given above, vacate further opinion. 27 28 concurring. 29 I join, 30 KENNEDY part. 31 join Part footnote 11, ante, 390, thus confronted obvious personnel need, appropriately considered subjecting (1978). observes, "[o]nly 'deliberate' 'conscious' 'policy' [42 U.S.C.] Ante, 389. pressing "cause" entails simply showing "but for" causation. Lesser requirements context "open 1983," 391, pose federalism concerns. 32 My single disagreement majority small one. believe, strongly hints, ibid., unnecessary comes after full during vigorously pursued numerous theories including providing illnesses. incentive adduce type Rather context, undert king analysis pretrial detainees. 33 entity, "responsible" committed touchstone government body official responsible protected Constitution." 690, 2036. language rejection "Sherman Amendment" 42d Congress, both strong indicators framers Civil Rights Act 1871 intend governments vicariously torts acts employment relationship alone; omissions proved. reaffirms 34 Where, here, predicated act, requisite shown background events establish inaction" functional equivalent violate Constitution. Without some form notice conform dictates chooses do, completely engulf imposing regard fault. absent requirement bear connection impose "prophylactic" remotely connected underlying themselves. 35 results intent drafters central vice Sherman noted "impose[d] species know impending ensuing riot wherewithal anything it." 692, 57, 2036, 57 (emphasis added). authors Ku Klux create beyond those contained 684-685, 2032. referred "reenacting Cong. Globe, Cong., 1st Sess., 569 (1871) (Rep. Edmunds). Representative Bingham, author saw purpose enforcement Constitution behalf individual citizen Republic extent guaranteed 81. Chapman Houston Welfare Organization, 441 600, 617, 1905, 1916, 60 508 (1979) ("[Section] substantive rights—equal otherwise. introduced enacted, served insure cause Constitution"). "federal good act" municipalities. creates persons, municipalities, deprive citizens United States rights. 36 Sensitive concerns, correctly requires high officials befo e omission support Monell. indicates, "it need." 390. Where available them actual constructive citizens, satisfied. 'a alternatives.' 389, quoting 1300, (1986). 37 my view, ways. First, fail concerning duty implicated recurrent face. notes, 10, limitations use deadly situation. clear, equally extremely risk ensue. 38 case—that inadequately diagnosing symptoms illness—falls far short kind "obvious" city. 388-389, precise nature obligations places seek physically being apprehended police. Revere Massachusetts General Hospital, 463 239, 246, 2979, 2984, 77 605 (1983) (REHNQUIST, concurring). guideposts area, diagnosis mental illness "usual [the police] deal." 391. characterized, itself, 39 Second, aware of, acquiesced in, pattern involving discretion. cases, outset, but confront situation regular basis, often requirements. "tacit authorization" inferred. Fiacco Rensselaer, 783 319, 327 (CA2 1986) (multiple incidents indifference); Patzner Burkett, 779 1363, 1367 (CA8 1985) ("[A] misbehavior take remedial amounting offensive acts"); Languirand Hayden, 717 220, 227-228 (CA5 1983) (municipal o "evidence endangered"); Wellington Daniels, 932, (CA4 supervise gives rise history wide-spread abuse. knowledge imputed supervisory personnel"). 40 recognizes requirement, declines evaluate standard. 13. From outset litigation, disorders. Amended Complaint ¶ 27. up oral argument counsel continued attempting hinge "both prisoners, 37-38. complaint 1980, existence entailed "practices permanent settled constitute 'custom usage' law." Adickes S.H. Kress & Co., 398 144, 168, 90 1598, 1614, 142 (1970); Garner Memphis Department, 600 52, 54-55, 1979) (discussing Monell). 41 Whatever prevailing train, unwritten emotionally fact, witness past needs disturbed regard. Maser, Chief 1971 testified contradiction tenure he complaints jails accorded 4-347—4-348. Former Officer Cherry, never upset prospect arrest, usually calmed member department spoke family members arrived. 4-83—4-84. quite nothing indicate reason suspect failing lead injuries kind, let Clause. None already allow adduced (summary incident adduced); 229 (reversing rendered "consciously indifferent" rights); 937 (affirming trial); cf. Rensselaer 328-332 (finding w ere trial). Allowing invite nullification "To infer isolated single, low-level officer, policy, amount precisely strict Monell." 831, 2440, (1985) judgment). themselves realized, local inexhaustible. grave step shifting areas through deterrent power certainly If require detailed psychological paramedics jails, services necessarily suffer, implications protection falls indication produce regard, order entry Title provides, that: "Every who, color statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage subjects, subjected, jurisdiction thereof privileges, immunities secured laws, shall party law, equity, proceeding redress. provides act "jailer" "shall, prisoner unconscious semi-unconscious, unable explain condition, complains ill, admitting Jail." upholding relied previous decisions approved Rymer Davis, 754 198 sub nom. Shepherdsville Rymer, 473 901, 3518, 87 646 reinstated, 775 756, 757 (1985); Hays Jefferson County, 668 869, 874 (1982). (1988); (1987); Los Angeles Heller, 796, 1571, 806 (1986); (1985). addition amounted denial detainees, ailments. 31-32; 38-39. described brief, appears restatement "failure-to-train policy" claim. ibid. poses distinct decline existed alternative ground affirmance. passed Appeals—nor appear decision. Appellee 4-9, here. discussed f Spell McDaniel, 824 1380, 1389-1391 1987); Haynesworth Miller, 261 U.S.App.D.C. 66, 80-83, 820 1245, 1259-1262 Warren Lincoln, 816 1254, 1262-1263 Bergquist Cochise, 1364, 1369-1370 (CA9 1986); Wierstak Heffernan, 789 968, 974 (CAl 326-327 Gilmere Atlanta, 774 1495, 1503-1504 (CA11 (en banc); Rock McCoy, 763 394, 397-398 (CAl0 1985); 1983). Two stopped embracing instead implicitly endorsed it. Colburn Upper Darby Township, 838 663, 672-673 (CA3 1988); Lenard Argento, 699 874, 885-887 (CA7 six current Members joined opinions (at implicitly) 829-831, 2439-2440 MARSHALL 268-270, 1120-1121 Powell dissenting). "gross negligence" out 1370; Herrera Valentine, 653 1220, 1224 1981). exhibit towards domain permissible. 326; 1983); 227. turn (if any) show determined culpability case—a due process right detention established. 243-245, 2982-2983, (1983), reserved less Eighth Amendment's test applicable asserting resolve reasons. us, assume employees—whatever be. 8-9. determining wrongs determines occurred. plurality Tuttle why so: "Obviously, retreats harm inflicted official; officer] killed force. latter example sent 'caused' 'policy.' 2436. 833, 9, 2441, moral certainty fleeing felons. armed firearms, accomplish Tennessee Garner, 1, 1694, (1985), "so obvious," characterized police, exercising plainly policymakers, nevertheless, "deliberately need. indicates included instruction. insufficient administer written resolved IV, infra. argument. 50-51; 2440

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