Police Brutality

In most cases, police officers are committed to keeping the public safe. Not all cops are bad cops and we only go after the bad cops. Occasionally, rogue police officers abuse their authority and overstep their rights by questioning, searching, and even detaining you. A violation of state or federal constitutional rights may have occurred if you have been a victim of police misconduct, police brutality, or wrongful arrest.

WHAT IS POLICE MISCONDUCT 

Police misconduct occurs when a police officer violates your constitutional rights, often during a search. Sadly, the average person is unaware of their civil rights, and may be taken advantage of by overzealous or even malicious police officers.

When a member of law enforcement uses unreasonable or excessive force on someone they have placed in custody, the result can be serious injuries or even death. Police brutality is considered one of the most serious forms of law enforcement misconduct.

The police brutality lawyers at our firm examine police actions against individuals or groups. Whether these actions were deemed excessive as compared to what a reasonable officer would have done is the key question. Common examples involve the use of:

Chokeholds- Chokeholds have been brought to light in recent events due to their danger.

Pepper spray- Pepper spray is a common deterrent used for crowd control. However, pepper spray can damage the lungs over time. When someone is subdued or shows signs of breathing problems due to excessive use, they are deemed to be using it excessively.

Batons- The proper use of batons by police officers is governed by protocols. There are some examples of these protocols, such as not striking the head or stopping if the individual has been subdued. There is a potential for concussions and broken bones to result from excessive force.

Firearms- It is possible to sue if an officer uses their firearm in an inappropriate situation, and someone is injured as a result.

Tasers- For people with heart conditions, these devices can be very dangerous. Tasers can seriously damage the heart and its rhythm due to their high voltage discharge. When using a taser, police officers must follow strict protocols.

Other examples of police misconduct involve:

• Concealing evidence
• Destroying evidence
• K-9 maulings
• Malicious prosecution
• Wrongful arrest