Failure to stop unlawful actions of other officers can lead to what type of lawsuit?

The correct answer is grounded in the principle that law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold and protect constitutional rights, and their failure to intervene in unlawful actions can violate an individual's constitutional protections. This creates a basis for a constitutional rights lawsuit, particularly under civil rights statutes such as Section 1983, which allows individuals to sue for constitutional violations by government officials.

In scenarios where an officer witnesses another officer engaging in unlawful behavior, their inaction can be seen as tacit approval of that conduct or as a failure to fulfill their duty to protect individuals' rights. Courts have recognized that officers may be held liable for not intervening when they have a clear opportunity to do so, thus infringing upon individuals' rights under the Constitution.

The other options are less applicable because a negligence lawsuit typically pertains to failures to act that cause physical harm rather than direct violations of constitutional liberties. A malicious prosecution lawsuit implies a wrongful legal action taken against an individual primarily to harass or retaliate, rather than inaction against an unlawful act. A criminal investigation lawsuit also doesn't correctly encompass the civil liabilities that arise from constitutional violations committed by government personnel.