One of the most commonly leveled accusations against police officers accused of misconduct is the offense of excessive force. When police officers use excessive force, it can result in serious injury or death, both to criminal suspects and innocent bystanders. But what exactly is excessive force, and how do you identify it when it happens?
What is Excessive Force?
Put simply, excessive force is when a police officer uses a greater level of violence than is called for in a given situation, often resulting in otherwise avoidable injuries or deaths. While police have the right to use force to prevent harm to others or to detain a suspect, they are supposed to ensure their response is proportionate to the danger posed to themselves or others. The exact line for when force becomes “excessive” can be difficult to ascertain, however, and it can often be dependent on the specific circumstances of each case.
What Are Some Examples of Excessive Force?
There are many ways police officers can potentially engage in excessive force. Some of the most common examples include:
- Inappropriate or reckless use of handcuffs, zip ties, or other restraints
- Unwarranted use of tasers or pepper spray
- Inappropriate use of rubber bullets, tear gas, and other “crowd control” methods
- Use of choke holds and other prohibited techniques against suspects
- Beating suspects who were already restrained or helpless
- Torturing suspects to coerce them into confessing to a crime
- Shooting suspects that were not armed or did not pose a threat to others
What Are the Consequences of Excessive Force?
The most obvious potential issue from excessive force is that it can result in suspects being injured or killed without a good reason, depriving them of their civil rights. However, the danger from this kind of police misconduct does not only affect criminal suspects, as even innocent bystanders can be injured due to inappropriate use of firearms, rubber bullets, tear gas, and other tools used by law enforcement. Even when injuries are not fatal, they can often have long-lasting effects, with some people suffering from permanent disabilities as a result of violent police action.
What Should You Do?
If you have been injured as a result of law enforcement using excessive force, you may be able to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. However, to know what options may be available to you, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling civil rights and police misconduct cases. They can help you go over your legal options, and ensure you have the best possible outcome to your case.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.