“To protect and serve.” That has been the motto for many police departments across the country and perfectly summarizes their mission. We depend on the police to provide protection for our homes, schools, and businesses.
Of course, the police can’t be everywhere all at once. When a crime is committed, we count on the police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the assailants to justice. It’s a very tall order for the police to live up to society’s expectations of a fair and supportive force to keep everyone safe.
What happens when the police cross the line and commit acts of brutality?
Unfortunately, acts of police brutality happen. When they do, victims might experience a sense of hopelessness and feel as though they have no recourse.
The attorneys at Forbes Law Offices have helped many clients who have suffered from instances of violence and assault that go way beyond what is acceptable. We are the supportive Huntington police brutality lawyers who help the victims of these incidents seek a remedy and hold the police department accountable.
How Does Police Brutality Impact Society?
One incident of police brutality is too much. Sadly, according to data collected by the University of Illinois, there are an estimated 250,000 civilian injuries caused by law enforcement officers annually across the country.
That breaks down to around 15% of all civilians being injured during a legal intervention such as an arrest or detainment. What is worse is that more than 600 people are killed by law enforcement across the country each year.
Many of these incidents never make the local news, but they are known within the community where the brutality took place. The victims, their families, neighbors, and even people not directly impacted by the incident can still suffer the psychological effects that include the following.
- Generalized anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mood disorders
- Psychotic experiences
- Self-reported suicidal ideation
Most of the people who suffer from these forms of mental health trauma don’t always seek support in the form of therapy. That can lead to fractures in relationships, distractions at work, and a persistent sense of unease.
Strained Relationships
We are supposed to trust the police for our safety and protection. If the police instruct us to avoid an area or need to question us about an incident, we should follow those instructions and provide any relevant information. When there are incidents of police brutality, that trust is broken.
Even though the heinous acts are committed by just a few of the hundreds of officers in a local police department, the effects can be devastating.
One of the most disturbing incidents was the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers who were attempting to make an arrest, but instead applied excessive force that led to Floyd’s death. In the aftermath of this incident, there was a sharp decrease in people calling 911 by as much as 50%.
That meant that people stopped calling the police for help or to report a crime.
Whether they felt as though nothing would be done or they feared any interaction with the police, the effects are profound.
Destructive Protests
When an especially horrific incident of police brutality is reported on the news, it can spark outrage that spreads nationwide. In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd, there were over 100 protests in cities across the country.
Those protests may have started peacefully during the day, but at nightfall, many of them turned violent.
Police and other vehicles were set on fire, and businesses were looted and destroyed. There were hundreds of arrests and numerous injuries. The loss to those businesses amounted to millions of dollars.
However, the costs of police brutality are not limited to the aftermath of protests. There are also millions paid out in settlements for police misconduct lawsuits. That money comes from taxpayers, which means that funding for other projects and services gets cut.
Seeking a Remedy
In the aftermath of police brutality, there are often reforms made that can lead to positive changes.
For instance, the mandated use of body cams is a direct result of a police brutality incident. The hope is that body cameras will help hold police accountable and provide direct evidence when they cross the line.
Unfortunately, having body cameras does not automatically mean police brutality has ended. There are still incidents occurring. If you or someone in your family is the victim of what you perceive to be police brutality, Forbes Law Offices wants to hear from you. There may be recourse to help pay for medical bills, ongoing therapy, and lost wages.
We can provide the guidance and support you need to help you understand what your options are and what the challenges might be for seeking that recourse.
Call to set up a free consultation to talk about what happened. When the police break their trust, they must be held accountable.
