PIRG: FIGHT POLICE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE

Police Misconduct: If You've Been Affected by Police Brutality or the excessive use of force, Civil rights claims are an important part of our legal system, providing a balance between the duty of law enforcement to uphold the laws, and the rights of individuals to be free from police misconduct. Yet cases against police officers can be difficult since other officers would shield their colleagues, however wrong, by any means necessary. Officers may be immune from suit, even though an individual feels he or she was mistreated. Claims against police departments can also be expensive to bring because a lot of evidence must be secured, including records, statements of police, statements of witnesses, and various other documentation, to prove the misconduct. The evidence supporting your claim is the most important element in a police misconduct suit. If you feel you've been the victim of police misconduct, first secure a medical report immediately, and contact a reputable Attorney promptly so that valuable evidence does not disappear. Take photographs of any injuries or damage caused by the police, and set aside clothing or other objects that was torn or stained with blood from the incident. Try to get the names and addresses or telephone numbers of anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Also, write down exactly what happened as soon as you can, so that you don't forget important details. The action can be brought against the State represented by the Attorney General since the Police acts as a representative of the State. PIRG repeats that no Police has the right to beat or abuse any individual and you should strongly defend your inalienable rights as guaranteed under the UN Charter for Human Rights.