Police Misconduct: Addressing This Growing Problem

Police officers have the important responsibility of protecting the innocent. Their job is to be on-site at the worst moments and to be a part of some of the most difficult social situations imaginable. It is a challenging career and that is why it is a necessity that only the most honorable people wear the badge. Unfortunately, too many communities have not raised their standards high enough or weeded out aggressive or unprofessional candidates effectively.

Defending Civil Rights

Civil rights & police misconduct are two issues that should not be connected so closely. Decades after the civil rights movement began there continue to be incidents where those that have the responsibility to protect these rights are sometimes the ones violating them. Indictments of police officers tripled in 2015 compared to previous years. It is difficult to know if this is because there are more incidents or if the victims are more willing to report the offense. In many cases, it is only because of the video cameras documenting the events that make it impossible to cover up the truth.

Understanding Police Misconduct

Misconduct is not always a matter of life and death. The media reports on the most obvious cases of misbehavior, but every day there are many other citizens that suffer because of over-aggressive officers. Everyone should understand their rights regarding personal searches, searches of their homes and vehicles and their right to not make a statement without an attorney present. A uniform does not give anyone the right to harass, intimidate or abuse someone. Many police misconduct lawyers in Minneapolis hear the stories of people who have experienced this type of event during simple traffic stops or other non-violent offenses.

Getting Legal Help

Civil rights attorneys in Minnesota represent anyone that has experienced this type of harassment from an officer. Their clients are often victims of illegal searches, were coerced into confessing to crimes they knew nothing about or were violated in some other manner. People that break the law should be punished, but the court system was designed to determine who is guilty and what their punishment should be. Police officers that believe they can handle this more effectively are a danger to society and need to be addressed.

Contacting a law firm about a civil rights violation is much more effective than launching a social media campaign against the police department or spreading the story across the media. An attorney can review the case, look at the evidence and make certain the victim gets their chance to tell their story to the court. Take any misconduct seriously and get professional assistance to make certain the officer involved is stopped from harming anyone else.