"Click On A State Below To View Stories Of
Police Misconduct and Police Brutality"
The most
well-known example of police misconduct is police brutality, but this
is not only way the public can be victimized. Police misconduct also
includes accepting bribes, improper search and seizure, harassment and
racism in law enforcement. Police misconduct violates the oath of peace
officers and their responsibilities as public servants. Victims of
police misconduct can be wrongfully convicted of crimes, lose property
and freedom and face social stigmatization.
Police
misconduct often goes uncorrected because people do not understand
their rights as citizens. Prevention of police misconduct by an
informed public can avert violence, wrongful convictions and abuse of
authority. In general police misconduct is the exception-most police
officers are law-abiding citizens, but when police misconduct and
police abuse does occur, police departments often fail to address the
problem in the appropriate manner. Police misconduct is therefore
encouraged by the lack of risk to the officer involved.
Reporting
police brutality and misconduct is a step towards ending this abuse of
power. If you have been a victim of police misconduct, you have legal
grounds to protest your mistreatment. An attorney familiar with laws
governing police misconduct can review your case and help you decide
how to proceed.