Police officers have a duty to serve and protect citizens. This duty must be upheld under all circumstances. When police officers believe they are above the law, it is inevitable that they will abuse their power.
While making an arrest, police officers are only allowed to use the amount of force necessary to subdue the suspect. Anything beyond that is excessive, and this type of inappropriate police behavior must not be tolerated.
Any citizen who suffers police abuse has the right to seek compensation. Your personal injury Civil Rights attorney will investigate the incident and take the necessary steps to pursue justice on your behalf. By standing up to police brutality, you will be bringing attention to a serious issue and helping prevent these incidents from occurring in the future.
What Is Police Brutality?
Recent cases involving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Freddie Gray have led to a national outcry against police departments that allow their members to engage in abusive treatment of the citizens they are supposed to be protecting. Although Black, Latino and Native American citizens are disproportionately victimized by police misconduct, people of all races, creeds, and backgrounds can be harmed by police brutality.
Police brutality may occur any time law enforcement officials interact with citizens, including traffic stops, sobriety checkpoints, protest marches, and during police detention. Examples of police brutality include:
- Excessive or unnecessary force
- Wrongful shooting
- Inmate abuse
- Physical violence
- False arrest
- Chokeholds
- Beatings
- Intimidation
- Verbal abuse
- Threats of violence
- Inappropriate police dog use
- Unnecessary strip searches
- Forced or coerced confessions
- Wrongful search and seizure
- Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape
- Inappropriate use of nightsticks, tasers, and pepper spray
- Wrongful death
Filing a Police Brutality Claim
Police officers have an obligation to prevent the excessive use of force and to intervene when they witness police brutality committed by their fellow officers. There must be accountability for abusive police conduct.
Speak with a personal injury Civil Rights attorney right away if you have been the victim of police brutality. Your attorney may take the following steps to determine who is responsible for the physical and emotional trauma you have suffered:
- Gather evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Consult with experts and specialists
- Review photos and video of the incident
How to Interact with the Police
Even though police have no right to abuse you or violate your rights, it is best to always do the following when interacting with law enforcement officers:
- Be respectful
- Record the interaction
- Don’t use antagonizing language
- Stay calm
- Remain silent
- Say you will answer questions when an attorney is present
Your Civil Rights Attorney in Charleston, SC
Julian Allen holds an AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® rating. He is passionately devoted to getting justice for victims of police brutality. Call Allen Law today (843) 882-5005 to schedule a FREE consultation. We’re on your side.