Female Suspect Died After Being Arrested for Allegedly Trespassing in Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (November 27, 2024) – A woman has tragically died in custody after being arrested by the Sacramento Police Department.
Sacramento County officials are saying that the incident took place on November 16, 2024. Police were called after getting reports of a woman trespassing on the 2600 block of Fulton Avenue.
The woman was allegedly inside a vehicle in the parking lot and refusing to leave the property. Officers attempted to persuade the woman but were not successful.
At some point during the arrest, the woman became unresponsive and was transported to the hospital. She later died at the hospital.
A full investigation into the death remains ongoing at this time.
Legal Considerations for Sacramento Police Department Custody Deaths
A large portion of the people who are physically harmed by police encounters every year are women. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, “Women accounted for an alarming 31% of all people experiencing the threat or use of force by police, and over half of women (51%) who experienced threat or use of force in their most recent police interaction reported that such conduct by police was “excessive,” a result which is up a significant 8 percentage points from the last survey in 2018.” There are a number of steps that police departments should take in order to avoid needlessly harming suspects.
- Police officers should have less-lethal weapons.
- Police officers should be trained to de-escalate encounters.
- Police officers should identify when a suspect is in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Police officers have difficult jobs. They must deal with unruly people who often don’t want to cooperate. Despite all of this, officers must always remain calm and use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is important that certain steps are taken after any in-custody death.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- The actions of officers leading up to the death should be understood.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
In-custody deaths are largely preventable. They tend to involve officers that are failing to follow safety rules promulgated by their employers. This may include instances when officers apply their body weight on a suspect, which may lead to asphyxia. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any person who died in police custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Sacramento Police Department Custody Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in Sacramento County police custody. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The number of in-custody deaths in Sacramento County remains deeply concerning.
Do you need more information about a Sacramento County in-custody death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.
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