sESSION 2: Police & Jail Accountability ADVOCATES TRAINING
Learn how to help community members understand their rights during police encounters and while navigating jail-related concerns.
Volunteers will learn how to document police and jail incidents, understand complaint processes, identify appropriate reporting channels, and assist individuals in pursuing accountability.
Volunteers will learn how to:
Understand basic constitutional rights during police encounters, stops, searches, questioning, and arrests.
Recognize potential rights violations involving excessive force, unlawful searches, discrimination, denial of medical care, or improper treatment.
Know what to do during a police encounter and how to communicate safely and effectively.
Document police misconduct by collecting the facts, dates, names, witnesses, reports, photos, videos, and other relevant information.
Understand jail rights and common jail concerns, including treatment, medical care, safety, communication, and access to basic services.
Help someone organize their complaint so the facts are clear, complete, and supported by documentation.
Learn where and how to file an official complaint regarding police or jail misconduct.
Understand the difference between reporting, advocacy, and legal representation so volunteers know what they can and cannot do.
Navigate police, sheriff, jail, and other accountability systems to identify the appropriate agency or process.
Connect community members to legal and social-service resources when an issue requires professional assistance.
Follow AADM's Community Defense protocols for documenting and escalating cases appropriately.
Provide trauma-informed, respectful support while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate volunteer boundaries.
BECOME A JUSTICE ADVOCATE
Help people understand their rights, navigate justice systems, document violations, and advocate for accountability.
The AADM Community Defense Team is a volunteer-based team that helps community members navigate issues involving police, jails, discrimination, and the court system.
This training series prepares volunteers to support AADM's community defense work, including helping individuals understand their rights, document incidents, navigate court and justice systems, connect with appropriate resources, and file official complaints when their rights have been violated.