> The Responsibility of Law Enforcement
It is beyond question that all “first responders” have extremely difficult jobs and must be counted among our nation’s heroes. Law enforcement officers have an extraordinary amount of power to benefit our society, and most of them use that power to help make our lives better and safer.
Using Force to Subdue a Suspect
Police officers have extremely stressful jobs, which in some cases can involve a great deal of violence. Police officers are justified in many cases in using large amounts of force that may be required in arresting a suspect. The force may at times seem overly excessive to the public, but it may in fact be necessary in dealing with a particular suspect who may be violent and under the influence of narcotics.
Cases of Abuse and Police Brutality
Unfortunately, sometimes police officers do step over the line and abuse their power and the bad actors must be held accountable. The governmental agency responsible for hiring and training the officer can also be held responsible for the unconstitutional conduct if it was a result of an official policy or custom, or if the government failed to adequately train its law enforcement officers to properly handle the situation.
It is important to understand that police brutality can also include not only violence against suspects. Police brutality and misconduct can also include false imprisonment, shootings, sexual abuse, or denying a suspect’s medical needs. There have been a number of police brutality cases in the news in recent years, partially because more police brutality cases are being captured on video with the widespread popularity of smart phones.
If You’ve Been Mistreated By The Police
It’s important that if you have been mistreated by the police, you find an experienced police misconduct attorney to handle your case. Time limitations apply to your case, and evidence can disappear with delays. It’s important to contact an attorney as quickly as possible after the police brutality occurs. Also, police brutality cases can sometimes be difficult because the plaintiff may have a criminal history, and police officers may have some inherent credibility with a jury. The sooner you can get an attorney involved, the less difficult your case may be to pursue.
Liberty Law represents individuals and groups of individuals in the full spectrum of constitutional law litigation and civil rights, including:
- Excessive force and physical brutality
- Unjustified use of deadly force
- False arrest and illegal detention
- Denying a suspect’s medical needs
- Impermissible searching
- Misuse of police dogs
Contact Oakland’s Liberty Law to Report Police Abuse & Brutality
At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that while a large amount of force by police may be needed in some cases, in other cases the police have crossed the line and must be held responsible. Micha Star Liberty at Liberty Law has extensive experience in successfully representing California’s individuals and groups of individuals who have fallen victim to rouge law enforcement officers or unconstitutional policies. She works with clients in the San Francisco area, including Hayward, Oakland, Tracy, Fairfield, and surrounding cities. Call her at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000, or click here if your civil rights have been violated or you have been mistreated by a law enforcement officer.
