subject: Types Of Police Brutality [print this page] With the recent publicity of the 84 year-old Occupy Seattle protestor being sprayed in the face with pepper spray, the issue of excessive force and police brutality is on the minds of many Americans. So what exactly is police brutality and what can you do as a citizen whos experienced it?
Police officers are meant to protect and serve, and their role in the community is vital. They protect us from criminal activity and serve us when were in need. Unfortunately, sometimes the lines can become blurred between citizen and criminal and the gray area can lead to unnecessary and uncalled for force from the police. Some forms of police brutality include:
Excessive Use of Force Excessive and unnecessary force can be both assault and verbal abuse used by law enforcement. The U.S. Code prohibits any person working for the state law enforcement to violate the civil rights of anyone in the U.S. If they violate this code, they can be held responsible for paying any damages.
Wrongful Shootings Police Officers are allowed to use weapons as a last resort to stop a criminal. If they or an innocent citizen are being shot at or can be harmed in a situation, officers are encouraged to use their weapons, but its hard to always know a criminals intentions. The majority of law enforcement communities disagree with using lethal force, but some officers can sometimes react without thinking or out of fear.
Taser Guns and Stun Guns Police Officers are becoming notorious for misusing tasers in less than dangerous situations. A taser causes a disruption in a persons nervous system, usually temporarily paralyzing them; however, sometimes tasers can be lethal. A study conducted by the Arizona Republic showed that from 1999 to 2004 over 40 people died from a taser-related injury.
Unfortunately, police brutality personal injury cases can become a complicated process if the law enforcement community does not cooperate. There can be cases of cover-ups, and sometimes other officers refuse to become a witness in a case, making it very hard for the victim to prove any wrongdoing. Dont give up hope, police officers need to be held to a high standard of conduct and should be punished if they cross the line. Hiring an experienced Killeen or Waco personal injury lawyer can improve your chances of receiving a favorable verdict.
