Which group can potentially face lawsuits in civil rights cases aside from individual officers?

Immediate supervisors can face lawsuits in civil rights cases because they hold a position of authority that includes training, oversight, and discipline of subordinate officers. If a subordinate engages in misconduct, the supervisor can be held liable if they failed to adequately train or supervise staff or if they demonstrated deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of individuals. This concept is rooted in the principle of supervisory liability, which allows for accountability beyond just the actions of individual officers.

The other groups listed do not typically bear the same legal responsibility. The community as a whole cannot be sued in such cases, as civil rights lawsuits target specific entities that have direct responsibilities. Judges, while protected by judicial immunity for decisions made in their official capacity, are not held liable in civil rights contexts for actions taken within the scope of their judicial role. Law enforcement unions generally do not face liability as they are representative bodies rather than individuals responsible for oversight or training in law enforcement practices.