No matter how many times we read and hear about police brutality cases in this country, it still shocks and upsets us. For the source of today's particular story, we look to New Jersey where a high school graduate and his parents are filing a federal civil rights after the then 16-year-old was punched and accosted by police officers for seemingly no reason.
Cop in James Blake debacle rejects deal with CCRB
Two years ago, an incredibly embarrassing moment in the history of New York police occurred. Retired tennis player James Blake was tackled and arrested by a New York police officer, James Frascatore, for seemingly no reason. This is because Frascatore mistakenly thought that Blake was actually someone tied to a credit card fraud ring. The entire episode was caught on video and it has since become a symbol of the ongoing debate about police, racism and excessive force.
What constitutes false arrest?
Many people hear the term false arrest and immediately assume that the police can't be accused of this crime. They think that someone who commits a false arrest is an everyday citizen who locks someone in a room against their will, or literally arrests them with their own set of handcuffs. However, police can be guilty of false arrest, or false imprisonment, just like anyone else.
Officer punches suspect, doesn't provide medical assistance
The Houston Police Department has been sued after an incident involving a suspect and a police officer left the suspect with a badly-injured face. There are many questions people have about how the police handled the situation.
Multiple allegations of excessive force against Trenton police
Two different lawsuits have been filed against the Trenton Police Department for excessive force. One of the lawsuits alleges that a man was accosted by a police officer in a deli even though the individual had not engaged in any illegal activity. The man was tackled and assaulted by the police officer, and after breaking free, the officer found it wise to pull out his firearm and shoot at the individual. The person filing the lawsuit was not struck by any bullets. Eventually he was tackled again and suffered injuries from the police officers that tackled him.
Race and religion may factor into police brutality
You'd like to believe that law enforcement officers want to serve and protect their communities. For some who wear the badge, this is true. Unfortunately, others who become police officers do so for the power and the boost to their ego.
Overzealous and corrupt officers are out there
The police wield an awesome power. They have the ability to enforce the law and legally infringe upon your rights if they have probable cause or a warrant. Of course, they also are strictly forbidden from infringing upon your rights if they don't have the legal authority or backing to do so. This balance is critical: it is what separates a free society from a police state.
Lawsuit settled in police brutality case
A lawsuit has been settled in the case of a man who was arrested and then beaten by a police officer even though there is no evidence that the arrested man was resisting the arrest. The case didn't happen here in New York, but it is emblematic of a problem that could occur anywhere in the country: some police officers simply show no compassion for anyone in their line of work, and physically abuse people who they pull over or arrest.
Police misconduct takes many forms
Police misconduct is a broad term for a number of illegal, unprofessional and extremely galling behaviors and actions made by the police. People who are targeted by or subjected to police misconduct, they can suffer serious injuries, deal with extensive and unwarranted criminal charges and live with the physical and emotional distress that all of this causes. Police misconduct is unacceptable and the victims of such abuse need to hold the police responsible for this type of behavior.
Settlement reached in Berkeley police brutality case
While the following story didn't occur here in Brooklyn or even the city or state of New York, it contains an important lesson about police brutality and holding law enforcement responsible when they run afoul of their principles, guidelines and laws.
