This July saw several high profile police brutality cases get settled in New York City courts. First, on July 6, it was announced that six Occupy Wall Street protestors had settled with the NYPD for a total of $332,500. The second settlement came a week later, when the department settled with the family of Eric Garner for $5.9 million.
Garner’s death, which occurred last year as he was arrested on suspicion of selling bootleg cigarettes, sparked a national debate on police violence. Photos of a policeman putting Garner in an illegal chokehold circulated the internet, and his final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry in anti-police-brutality demonstrations around the country. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed a special prosecutor to investigate killings by police, an action taken partly in response to continuous pressure from Garner’s family.
These cases, and the recent shooting of Sam DuBose in Cincinnati, reveal the prevalence of police brutality in America. It’s important that we all know what constitutes police brutality.
Examples of police brutality include any action in which a police officer:
- Uses force when it is uncalled for
- Uses more force than necessary to perform his job
- Denies due process rights to a person under arrest
- Searches an individual without probable cause to do so
- Violates an individual’s civil rights
If you believe that you are a victim of police brutality, contact the attorneys at Weiser & Associates today. We have a great deal of experience in lawsuits against the police, and have the tools and contacts necessary to secure a favorable settlement or judgment. We serve clients from all around the greater New York City area. Call (212) 213-3111 for a free case consultation.
