Tips for Dealing with Police Brutality: Know Your Rights

More than ever before, the subject of police brutality is coming to the fore. While it's fair to say that the police have an incredibly challenging task to perform, there is never an excuse for brutality in the pursuit of justice. In the past, it used to be that you simply had to put up with the abuse unless the harm caused was so significant that it became a newsworthy story.

However, in reality, you should never have to put up with any form of police actions that cause you extreme anguish or physical harm. If you or anyone you know has or suspects have been abused by those in a position of power, there are actions you can take to ensure you receive justice and the police in question get severely reprimanded for their actions.

Never Wait To Hire Legl Representation

Perhaps the worst thing you can do after experiencing this issue is wait too long to get legal counsel on the matter. For some folks, this could purely be due to being unable to afford it or unsure how to proceed, but a quick internet search and conversation with your local law firm should point you in the right direction. In essence, the longer you wait to initiate legal action, the more likely it is the police officer in question can get away with what happened. According to this Philadelphia police brutality law firm, police must be held accountable for their actions, and the first step in doing so is by enlisting the help of an attorney with expertise and experience in this particular matter. They can advise you on your best course of action, whether you have a solid case or not, and most crucially, liaise directly between yourself and the police department in question to help you avoid admitting anything that could put your case in jeopardy of being thrown out.

Remain Calm And Respectful Even During Your Interactions With The Police

You might look at this point and have the immediate reaction that it is crazy to stand by and allow yourself to be abused. Well, the fact of the matter is that the more resistance you put up, the more likely it is that the police officer will plead to a court that you were resisting arrest and consequently caused them to take the actions they did. Moreover, there is a far more serious point to make here, which is that if the police are using techniques that could result in injury, the more disprespectful you are and willing to resist, the more chance you have of them exerting an even greater force upon you. This might work in your favor in court, but ensuring your life and health remain intact should be your main priority at that moment.

Document Everything During The Encounter (Or Have Someone Film It)

Your right to film people in public spaces is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of speech and the press. Therefore, you should never allow the police to coerce you into stopping the process, which could end up being invaluable evidence in any case you initiate later on. If you are unable to film due to being retired, try to plead with passersby to document what's happening and provide them with a contact to whom they can send the footage.

Ask For The Officer's Badge Number

An officer is legally obliged to provide their name and badge number when requested to do so, and this piece of information could make all the difference when setting up a case. Without any video or audio evidence, your best option is to get this badge number, which can be used to check where the officer was at a specific time and hold them accountable for their actions. If found guilty. As with getting footage, this might prove challenging if you're already on the ground, but ask passersby to ask on your behalf.

Avoid Physical Confrontation At All Costs

The more you resist arrest, the less likely you'll be to win a case against the police. Additionally, as soon as you begin to fight back, you could even be charged with additional crimes, including assaulting a police officer in the line of duty, resulting in you being punished rather than the other way around. As difficult as it may be, you really need to resist the idea of comforting them physically and remain steadfast in your belief that with the right lawyer by your side, justice will eventually be served.

Police brutality is an unfortunate consequence of providing people with an almost unlimited amount of power. Although we need the police to keep society safe, brutality can and does happen far too readily. The tips in this post should give you a few pointers as to what you ought to do in order to receive recompense.