Police brutality

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David Kirkwood on the ground after being struck by police batons

Police brutality is a term used to describe the excessive use of physical force, assault, verbal attacks, and threats by police officers and other law enforcement officers. The term may also be used to apply to such behavior when used by prison officers. Widespread, systematic police brutality exists in many countries, even those which prosecute it. Brutality is one of several forms of police misconduct which include; false arrest, intimidation, racial profiling, political repression, surveillance abuse, sexual abuse, and police corruption.

Alleged Corruption

Use of force and authority by police to some groups can be — or be perceived to be — disproportionate. Differences in race, religion, politics, and socioeconomic status between police and the citizenry can contribute to the creation of a relationship in which some police officers may view the population (or a particular subset thereof) as generally deserving punishment while these portions of the population view the police as oppressors.

Police are employed by society to maintain order, but by dealing largely with disorderly elements of the society, some people working in law enforcement may gradually develop an attitude or sense of authority over society. The growing number of cases of police brutality is usually attributed not to increased awareness within police ranks, but merely to more widespread use of video cameras.

Alternatively, some members of the public may in fact perceive the use of force by police as excessive, even when the force used is not only reasonable, but is also appropriate under the circumstances. Police use of force is kept in check in many jurisdictions by the issuance of a use of force continuum. A use of force continuum sets levels of force considered appropriate in direct response to a subject's behavior. This power is granted by the civil government, with limits set out in statutory law as well as common law.

Investigation

In the United States, cases of police brutality are investigated by internal police commissions, district attorneys (DAs) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Internal police commissions are often criticized for bias to the officers as they frequently declare upon review that the officer(s) acted within the department's rules, or according to their training. Additionally, the ability of district attorneys to investigate police brutality is called into question, as DAs depend on help from Police Departments to bring cases to trial. In contrast, the FBI is believed by many to be objective in its work in this area, but it investigates only a fraction of suspect cases of police brutality.

In the United Kingdom, an independent organization known as the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigates reports of police misconduct. They automatically investigate any deaths caused by, or thought to be caused by, police action.

Politics

In some cases the police can be seen as siding with or against a government on political issues. For example during the Quebec City Summit of the Americas in 2001, it was believed by the anti-globalists that the police were defending the capitalist objectives of the summit participants, yet many people viewed those anti-globalists' actions as unreasonable and destructive. Another example is when, in March 2006, masked Kenyan police attacked a media outlet during the midst of a government corruption scandal; see Corruption in Kenya for details.

Human Rights

The Amnesty International 2005 report on human rights alleges widespread police misconduct in many countries. Some notable countries include Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Brazil.

Community Response

Various community groups have criticized police brutality. These groups often stress the need for oversight by independent citizen review boards and other methods of ensuring accountability for police action.

Copwatch is a U.S.-based network of organizations that actively monitors and videotapes the police to prevent police brutality. Umbrella organizations and justice committees (often named after a deceased individual or those victimized by police violence) usually engage in a solidarity of those affected. Amnesty International is another organization active in the issue of police brutality.

Tools used by these groups include video recordings, which are sometimes broadcast using websites such as YouTube.[1]

Self-described police monitoring organizations have themselves sometimes been the target of criticism. For example, some have interpreted the response of such groups to police shootings as calls to retaliate against the police, even when not explicitly stated as such.[2]

Selected Cases of Police Brutality

  • Mostafa Tabatabainejad an Iranian American student at UCLA student who, on November 14, 2006, was repeatedly stunned with a Taser by campus police for allegedly refusing to immediately leave Powell Library[3].
  • William Cardenas A video posted on YouTube shows two LAPD officers beating on 24 year old William Cardenas while arresting him on charges of receiving stolen property. The LAPD and FBI are currently investigating this case.[4]
  • Martin Lee Anderson died in 2006 at a Florida juvenile detention facility after allegedly suffering a beating by as many as eight guards, recorded by videotape. An investigation is ongoing. [5]
  • Anthony Baez died in a confrontation with New York City police in which a chokehold was used on him. Police officer Francis Livoti was indicted and acquitted, but was later convicted in federal court of perjury.[6][7]
  • Steve Biko was allegedly killed by police as a result of anti-apartheid demonstrations in South Africa in 1977. [8]
  • Oscar Elías Biscet is a Cuban political prisoner, arrested in December 2002, who is reportedly not allowed to have food or medicines brought to him by his wife, a situation which has caused his health to deteriorate.[9]
  • Robert Davis was filmed in an altercation with New Orleans police officers in October 2005. Two officers were later fired and charged with battery as a result of the incident.[10]
  • Amadou Diallo was shot and killed in February 1999 by New York City police officers while unarmed after the officers claimed they believed he was reaching for a gun. Four officers were indicted for second-degree murder but later acquitted.[11]
  • Johnny Gammage was a black motorist who died in a scuffle with white police officers. Three officers were charged with involuntary manslaughter, although at least one was acquitted.[12]
  • Rodney King an African American man who plunged into the national spotlight after his violent arrest by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department was videotaped by a bystander on March 3, 1991. Two of the officers were later convicted on federal charges.[13].
  • Frank Jude Jr. was beaten at a house party while unarmed by three off-duty Milwuakee Police officers, Andrew Spengler, Jon Bartlett and Daniel Masarik, who were charged but acquitted.[14]
  • Abner Louima was sexually abused by New York City police officers in 1997. A number of officers were convicted in the case.[15]
  • Benno Ohnesorg, a German university student, was shot dead by police officer Karl-Heinz Kurras during a demonstration in Berlin on 2 June 1967. Kurras was charged with manslaughter but acquitted.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Veiga, Alex (November 11, 2006). "YouTube.com prompts police beating probe". Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  2. ^ "Portland's crazed leftists / Arissa / Rose City Copwatch". Willamette Week Online. April 14. Retrieved 2006-10-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  3. ^ "Campus Abuzz About Taser Use On UCLA Student stiring brutality controversy" (Press release). KNBC-TV Los Angeles CA. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  4. ^ "Video Arrest Subject Pleads No Contest". The Free Press. 2006-11-15. {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate - 2006-11-16" ignored (help)
  5. ^ "FDLE Investigates Death of Martin Lee Anderson". Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 2006-01-10. {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate - 2006-08-05" ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Mayor Giuliani signs bill that names Bronx street after Anthony Baez" (Press release). City of New York. 2000-04-17. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  7. ^ "Every Mother's Son - About the film". Public Broadcasting System. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  8. ^ "Stephen Bantu Biko". South African History Online. Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  9. ^ Boucher, Richard (2004-07-21). "Treatment of Oscar Elias Biscet and Other Cuban Political Prisoners" (Press release). United States Department of State. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  10. ^ Alistair Leithead (2005-10-10). "New Orleans policemen suspended". BBC News. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  11. ^ "Officers acquitted of all charges in Diallo shooting". Courtroom Television Network (Court TV). 2000-02-25. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  12. ^ "White officer acquitted in death of black motorist". CNN. 1996-11-13. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
  13. ^ "Rodney King reluctant symbol of police brutality" (Press release). Associated Press NYC NY. 2001-03-03. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  14. ^ Grinburg, Emanuella (2006-04-20). "Off-duty Milwaukee officers cleared in beating of unarmed man". Courtroom Television Network (Court TV). Retrieved 2006-08-14.
  15. ^ "Louima Cop Sentenced". CBS Worldwide. 2000-06-27. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  16. ^ Thomas, Nick (2003). Protest Movements in 1960s West Germany: A Social History of Dissent and Democracy. Oxford: Berg.
  17. ^ Seifert, Jurgen (1976). "Defining the Enemy of the State: Political Policies of West Germany". New German Critique. 8: 42–53. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

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