What is Police Violence?
Police violence, also known as police brutality, is not a new phenomenon in the United States. It manifests in different forms that most victims don’t immediately recognize as brutality, so most incidents go unreported. While police officers can use legitimate force in making arrests, maintaining order, or keeping peace, they most often abuse this power and exert excessive pressure on civilians.
By definition, police brutality is the use of excessive or unwarranted force against civilians by police officers. It includes racial abuse, beatings, torture, manhandling, indiscriminate use of riot control items at protests, and in extreme cases, murder. If you or your loved one were subjected to police brutality, consult skilled civil rights advocates in Philadelphia for your legal options.
What Are the Causes of Police Brutality?
Several complex factors contribute to police brutality, and in most cases, these factors are not clear. Police misconduct attorneys in Philadelphia recognize the following as the most common reasons for heightened police violence in the United States:
Mental Health Issues
Law enforcers often work under stressful conditions, with most of them experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to job-related stressors and trauma. Given the harsh conditions in their work environment, some police officers may have an increased tendency toward suspicion, a problem with aggression, and an increased startled response.
These traits can make it more likely for a police officer to overreact and use unnecessary deadly force. However, this should not be a justification for police brutality. You deserve to pursue justice if you’re a victim of police brutality. Skilled police misconduct lawyers in Philadelphia can evaluate your case and provide legal guidance on what to do to defend your rights.
Inadequate Institutionalized Training
Some police officers lack proper training to groom them for appropriate public interaction and handling. Law enforcement agencies should provide constant updates to training methods that focus on safe detainment, using only reasonably necessary force. Without training, many police officers will maintain the same thought processes and habits that lead to police brutality.
Police Immunity and Lack of Accountability
Police officers enjoy immunity because they can legally use reasonable force to maintain law and order, justifying their actions. A majority of police brutality cases pass without the police officers being charged and prosecuted.
Besides, police officers are rarely held accountable for their actions, apart from a few widely known incidents. Impunity for police killings often leads to a deadly cycle of police violence, with an example being Brazil, where officers routinely kill people who pose no threat, knowing that the incidents won’t be investigated.
A balance must be maintained between police officers’ rights to use force and civilians’ constitutional rights to freedom from unreasonable use of the same.
Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination has been the cause of many police brutality cases, even though hum
The law dictates that everyone should be treated equally by law enforcement. Unfortunately, racial discrimination is rampant in various justice systems and departments the world over. Cases of racial profiling and discriminatory action when enforcing drug policies are rampant.
What Are the Solutions to Police Brutality?
Several anti-brutality campaigns have been mounted in several places in the United States, with civil society organizations calling for police reforms. They propose several options that could make every citizen safer, even in their interaction with the police. Some of the proposals are as follows:
- Publication of data on all the people killed by police and ensuring all cases are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted
- Police officers should uphold the protect-life principle by resorting to minimum force unless otherwise required
- The power of the police to resort to the use of force and firearms must be regulated by the law
- Congress and all states should pass laws limiting the use of deadly force by the police
- The Department of Justice should investigate law enforcement agencies that have violated human rights and take measures to correct the injustices
Accountability
Police officers should not be above the law, mainly because they must uphold it. All cases of police brutality should be subjected to a thorough, independent, transparent, and impartial investigation. Police officers found responsible for this should be criminally prosecuted.
Sadly, police officers who unlawfully kill and injure people often get away with it because of reasons such as threatening the witnesses or survivors and pressuring them to drop charges. It’s advisable to work with lawyers specializing in police misconduct cases in Philadelphia when bringing lawsuits against police officers. Lawyers can fight for your rights and defend you against police intimidation.
What Should I Do if I’m a Victim of Police Brutality?
If you have been subjected to police brutality in any form, you must take steps to assert your rights. If you have been physically hurt and are not in custody, get medical help immediately. Police officers also have a duty to get you immediate medical care if you get injured while in custody. If they don’t, call 911 or request to see a doctor to build your medical record.
Document the police brutality instance, recording details such as the name, badge number, and police department of the officer who hurt you. Take note of the time, date, and location where the incident happened and your injuries.
It would also help to get details of anyone who witnessed the incident, such as their names and contact information. Then, call Philadelphia civil rights advocates as soon as possible to present your case.
A Skilled Civil Rights Advocate Fighting for Your Rights After Police Brutality
Being a victim of police brutality can have devastating effects. It puts you at risk of losing your life if the officers resort to using their firearms in the course of making an arrest, maintaining order, or quelling rowdy crowds. Experienced civil rights advocates in Philadelphia can help you fight for your rights.
Abramson & Denenberg, PC, is a civil rights firm with skilled police misconduct lawyers in Philadelphia. We can help you file a complaint with the Department of Justice or pursue a lawsuit for compensation for the damages. Call us at 215-398-7066 to schedule a FREE case review.