10 Examples of Police Misconduct To Refer to for Your Case
May 16, 2023 | Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law
Police misconduct is an unfortunately all-too-common occurrence in the United States. It occurs when officers of the law abuse their power or break laws while they are on or off duty, and its effects can range from minor nuisances to life-altering violations of human rights. The following are 10 examples:
Use of Excessive Force
Excessive force by police includes the use of physical force, weapons, or other techniques beyond what is necessary to make an arrest or prevent criminal activity. It can result in physical injury, emotional trauma, and even death.
The Eric Garner case is a tragic example of police misconduct and excessive force. In 2014, Eric Garner died after NYPD officers tackled him to the ground while attempting to arrest him for allegedly selling illegal cigarettes. One officer used an illegal chokehold on Garner which resulted in his death – despite repeated pleas from Garner that he could not breathe.
Tampering With Evidence
Tampering with evidence is when a police officer illegally changes, adds to, or removes any piece of evidence.
An example of this is the Walter Scott case. Former North Charleston, South Carolina officer Michael Slager walked up to Scott’s body after shooting him and placed his taser on the ground next to Scott’s body.
His actions suggest that he was trying to make it appear as if there had been a physical altercation between himself where the victim grabbed his taser. This was presumably done in an effort to justify his excessive use of force.
Police Brutality
Police brutality refers to the unjustified use of physical violence by law enforcement officials against members of the public. The case of Rodney King in Los Angeles is a prime example.
In the tragic case of Rodney King, which took place in 1991, he was pulled over for speeding. Instead of being allowed to comply with police orders, he was tasered and brutally beaten with police batons before being kicked repeatedly – all while bystanders filmed the incident.
Coerced Confessions
Coercing someone into confessing to a crime is a form of police misconduct that can lead to wrongful convictions in criminal cases. It is often done through verbal abuse, fear tactics, and physical violence. A prime example of this is the Rachelle Jackson case.
Jackson was wrongfully accused and coerced into signing a statement after her efforts to save an officer’s life in the car crash. She spent 10 months in jail before being released.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault by police officers against members of the public is an act of gross misconduct and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. An example is the Eddie Martins and Richard Hall incident.
Police officers Eddie Martins and Richard Hall were charged with kidnapping, coercion, and sex crimes after they arrested a New York woman for possession of marijuana. The officers then violently raped her and sexually assaulted her while threatening criminal charges if she reported the incident.
Lying on Police Reports
This is one of the most common forms of police misconduct. It occurs when an officer deliberately misrepresents or omits facts in their report, and it can be used to cover up a crime or other inappropriate behavior.
False Imprisonment or Arrest
This is another form of police misconduct that happens when an officer detains someone without legal justification and keeps them confined against their will for any amount of time – even if only briefly. The Rachelle Jackson case is an example of this as well.
Witness Tampering and Intimidation
This occurs when officers attempt to influence witnesses by threatening them with harm if they testify against law enforcement personnel or cooperate with investigations.
Former police officer Anthony Maldonado pulled over a vehicle and stole the cash he saw inside. After the man reported it to the police department, the officer and others tried to bribe the victim into dropping his charges and withdrawing his complaint.
Mishandling Evidence
Another form of misconduct often seen within law enforcement agencies is mishandling evidence – either through negligence or intentional tampering – which can compromise criminal investigations and prosecutions. Oftentimes, this kind of misconduct can go unbeknownst to the accused.
Lying to Investigators
This occurs when officers deliberately provide false information and fabrications about interactions with suspects as a way to alter the investigation. As with the mishandling of evidence, this form of police misconduct can be difficult to spot – especially without the legal services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney To Protect Your Legal Rights
If you’ve been harmed by police misconduct, it could help you fight the criminal charges you’re facing. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Law Firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law Today For Help.
For more information please contact our Criminal Defense law firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law at the nearest location for a free consultation.
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