Police officers must be non-prejudiced, unbiased, and responsibly exercise their legal authority. They are not to engage in acts of police violence, wrongful arrest, discrimination, or harassment of citizens. However, even with their training and orientation, some officers still act unjustifiably and misuse their legal authority.
Police officers refusing to do their job according to the law give rise to abuse, discrimination, harassment, and false arrest, among other things. Their disregard for the rule of law leads to most police abuse cases involving sexual misbehavior and excessive physical force. In this article, we will consider four of the most common cases of police misconduct today.
1. Police Brutality
Police brutality is not a new thing; there have been many cases of people losing their lives to it. Examples of situations involving the brutality of police include physical assaults, complaints involving Tasers and firearms, and verbal abuse. There are also complaints involving police dogs, chemical weapons, and police vehicles.
Most of the cases of police brutality that resulted in fatalities involve the use of weapons, physical force, and Tasers. The high rate of brutality of the police is a concern in law enforcement that needs urgent attention.
2. Harassment
Police officers have been culprits in sexual harassment, sexual activities, sexual abuse, and sex-related offenses against the opposite sex, adults and juveniles alike. The CATO Institute establishes that police harassment and sexual misbehavior are the second most frequent complaints involving the police. These complaints include sexual molestation and sexual assault; consensual sexual activity while on duty is also part of police misconduct.
If you are a victim of police harassment and sexual abuse, you should get a sexual harassment attorney. You cannot fight the police on your own; you need the strong legal guidance of an attorney.
3. Discrimination
Incidents of police discrimination and personal prejudices occur both within and outside of the police department offices. Many police officers cannot separate their ethnic, gender, sexual, and religious mentality from their job as law enforcement officers. Their biased orientation dictates how they act and carry out their duty, in which case racial profiling and police violence ensue.
Other discrimination-related complaints civilians have leveled against police officers include erroneous searches and seizures, verbal abuse, wrongful arrests, and incorrect hiring procedures. All these are against the proper conduct expected of a law enforcement officer and should be dealt with.
4. False Arrests, Unlawful Surveillance, Searches, and Seizures
Police officers are not above the law, and the United States Constitution prohibits police from unlawful arrests, searches, and surveillance. According to the Constitution, a judge must have approved the search, seizure, surveillance, and arrest before they are carried out. Sometimes, these activities may be necessary due to the situation’s specifics.
If you were a victim of this unlawful act, you could file a claim against them. For example, if the police officer collected your information, searched your property, or monitored your movement without a court order. Also, if there was no probable cause, court permission, or authorization, you can sue them for improper surveillance, search, or seizure.
Conclusion
Ironically, the police, whose job is to serve and keep citizens safe, are the perpetrators of unjust treatment. “If you have experienced police misconduct of any form, you may be able to sue for compensation for damages. You can get compensation for your pain, medical costs, suffering, loss of wages (present and future), and other costs.” says Attorney Ryan McPhie of Grand Canyon Law Group.
