Discussing police departments with systemic failures is a sensitive but necessary task. Unlike “best” lists, there is no official ranking of the “worst,” but credible indicators exist: Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, consent decrees, civil rights lawsuits, and independent analyses. These sources highlight agencies where misconduct is not isolated but embedded in institutional culture. It is important to note that many officers in these departments serve honorably; the focus here is on systemic issues that undermine accountability, trust, and justice.

Top 25 Worst Police Departments In America

1. Phoenix Police Department (AZ)

Phoenix PD is under a sweeping DOJ “pattern or practice” investigation for excessive force, discriminatory policing, and retaliation against protesters. The department has one of the nation’s highest rates of officer‑involved shootings, raising concerns about accountability and training. Community groups have long criticized its handling of vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness. While reform efforts are underway, Phoenix PD remains emblematic of systemic challenges in balancing enforcement with civil rights protections.

2. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (CA)

LASD has faced decades of scandals, including deputy “gangs” like the Executioners, accused of glorifying violence and intimidation. Excessive force in jails, corruption, and retaliation against whistleblowers have plagued the department. Despite its size and resources, oversight has been weak, allowing misconduct to persist. Federal investigations and media reports continue to expose systemic cultural problems. LASD’s reputation reflects deep institutional issues, making it one of the most scrutinized law enforcement agencies in the country.

3. Los Angeles Police Department (CA)

LAPD, once infamous for the Rampart scandal, has undergone reforms but still struggles with systemic issues. DOJ oversight and a long‑standing consent decree highlight persistent concerns about biased policing and excessive force. Community trust remains fragile, especially in marginalized neighborhoods. While LAPD has improved transparency and accountability, recurring controversies show reform is incomplete. Its history illustrates both the potential for transformation and the difficulty of overcoming entrenched cultural problems in large urban departments.

4. San Francisco Police Department (CA)

SFPD has been repeatedly criticized for racial bias in stops, searches, and use of force. DOJ reviews and scandals involving racist text messages among officers underscore systemic cultural issues. Despite efforts at reform, including body‑worn cameras and community policing initiatives, trust remains low among minority communities. The department’s challenges highlight the difficulty of achieving accountability in progressive cities, where expectations for fairness and transparency are especially high. SFPD remains under pressure to deliver meaningful change.

5. Denver Police Department (CO)

Denver PD has faced lawsuits and protests over excessive force, particularly during the 2020 demonstrations. A city audit revealed failures in documenting use of force and weak accountability systems. Community advocates argue the department has not adequately addressed racial disparities or mental health crises. While Denver has experimented with co‑responder models pairing officers with clinicians, systemic problems persist. The department’s struggles reflect broader national debates about protest policing, transparency, and the limits of reform.

6. Miami Police Department (FL)

Miami PD has a long history of corruption and misconduct scandals, including officers convicted of planting evidence, robbery, and other crimes. Excessive force incidents have repeatedly drawn federal scrutiny. Despite reforms, the department continues to battle reputational damage from decades of systemic failures. Community trust remains fragile, particularly among minority residents. Miami PD’s history illustrates how entrenched corruption and misconduct can undermine legitimacy, requiring sustained oversight and cultural change to rebuild credibility and effectiveness.

7. Chicago Police Department (IL)

Chicago PD is under a federal consent decree following a scathing 2017 DOJ report after the Laquan McDonald shooting. The investigation found patterns of excessive force, racial discrimination, and a broken accountability system. Despite reform efforts, CPD continues to struggle with community trust and high levels of violence. Specialized units are respected, but systemic issues overshadow operational successes. Chicago PD exemplifies the challenges of reforming a large, complex department with deep‑rooted cultural and structural problems.

8. Baltimore Police Department (MD)

Baltimore PD entered a consent decree after the DOJ’s 2016 report revealed unconstitutional stops, searches, arrests, and excessive force, particularly against Black residents. The Gun Trace Task Force scandal, involving officers convicted of racketeering, further damaged credibility. Despite reform initiatives, progress has been slow, and community trust remains low. Baltimore PD’s struggles highlight how corruption and systemic misconduct can devastate legitimacy, requiring long‑term oversight and cultural transformation to restore confidence in law enforcement.

9. Prince George’s County Police Department (MD)

PGPD has a history of officer‑involved shootings, corruption, and misconduct. Former leadership acknowledged systemic problems, describing the department as “rotten to the core.” Civil rights lawsuits and community complaints have underscored racial disparities in policing. While reforms and oversight have been attempted, cultural issues persist. PGPD’s reputation reflects the difficulty of addressing entrenched misconduct in suburban departments, where accountability mechanisms are often weaker than in larger urban agencies. Trust remains a significant challenge.

10. Detroit Police Department (MI)

Detroit PD operated under a federal consent decree for over a decade due to excessive force, unlawful detentions, and flawed internal investigations. While reforms have improved oversight, the department continues to face challenges with accountability and community trust. Detroit’s economic struggles compounded policing issues, creating resource gaps and strained relationships with residents. The department’s history illustrates how systemic failures can persist for years, requiring sustained federal oversight and cultural change to achieve meaningful reform.

Below is the fully numbered version of your tables, with organization references added, as required.

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Table 1: U.S. Police Departments With Documented Systemic Problems

#	Police Department	State	Primary Issues Noted
1	Phoenix Police Department	AZ	DOJ investigation; excessive force; discriminatory practices; high shootings
2	Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department	CA	Deputy gangs; corruption; excessive force; jail violence
3	Los Angeles Police Department	CA	Biased policing; use-of-force issues; long-term consent decree
4	San Francisco Police Department	CA	Racial bias; problematic use of force; racist text scandals
5	Denver Police Department	CO	Excessive force lawsuits; poor accountability; protest response failures
6	Miami Police Department	FL	Corruption; excessive force; officers convicted of robberies and planting evidence
7	Chicago Police Department	IL	DOJ consent decree; excessive force; racial profiling; accountability failures
8	Baltimore Police Department	MD	DOJ consent decree; unconstitutional stops; excessive force
9	Prince George’s County Police Department	MD	Corruption; shootings; internal misconduct; hostile culture
10	Detroit Police Department	MI	Long DOJ oversight; unlawful detentions; excessive force
11	St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department	MO	Extremely high police violence; unconstitutional stops
12	Rochester Police Department	NY	Excessive force; failures in mental-health response; child pepper-spraying incident
13	New York City Police Department	NY	Racially discriminatory stop-and-frisk; aggressive enforcement; transparency issues
14	Buffalo Police Department	NY	Excessive force against protesters; pattern of misconduct
15	Albuquerque Police Department	NM	DOJ consent decree; frequent shootings; mishandling of mental-health incidents
16	Cleveland Division of Police	OH	DOJ consent decree; excessive force; systemic failures
17	Portland Police Bureau	OR	Excessive protest force; DOJ findings of force against mentally ill
18	Philadelphia Police Department	PA	Misconduct lawsuits; corruption scandals; excessive force
19	Milwaukee Police Department	WI	Unconstitutional stops; racial discrimination; major scandals
20	Louisville Metro Police Department	KY	DOJ investigation; invalid warrants; discrimination; excessive force

Table 2: Smaller or Notorious Police Departments With Severe Issues

#	Police Department	State	Primary Issues
1	Morrow Police Department	GA	Policing for profit; targeting Black motorists
2	Brookside Police Department	AL	Revenue-driven policing; illegal stops; disbanded after scandals
3	Balch Springs Police Department	TX	Fatal shooting of Jordan Edwards; officer misconduct
4	Torrance Police Department	CA	Racist extremist texts; violent cliques
5	LaVergne Police Department	TN	Theft ring among officers; corruption scandal

Closing

The departments identified here reflect recurring themes: excessive force, racial discrimination, corruption, and weak oversight. These are not problems of individual officers alone, but of institutional cultures and structures that fail to protect civil rights. Recognizing these failures is the first step toward reform. The path forward requires robust accountability, independent oversight, and a shift from “warrior” policing to community‑centered guardianship. By learning from these systemic breakdowns, policing in America can move closer to fairness, transparency, and genuine public safety.