Police brutality is becoming more pervasive in the media. While some do not believe that police brutality is a major problem, there are more than a few “bad eggs” in the police force. Police officers can and do abuse their power and use unnecessary force in many different situations. You can learn more about police brutality and excessive force here. If you live in Stratford, Connecticut, learn about some recent issues and what to do if you are the victim of police brutality.
What is Police Brutality?
All police officers are given certain powers and resources in order to protect themselves, other officers, and the public. Police and other government officials are allowed to use violence in order to keep others safe and do their jobs. However, many situations do not call for violence in order for cooperation to occur. In other situations, minimal force is needed. In these situations, if too much force is used, the police could be guilty of police brutality.
Police Brutality in Stratford, Connecticut
If you live in or near Stratford, watch out for issues of excessive force. There have been a few issues like this in recent years. Here are some details about these altercations:
- A Bridgeport man accused a Stratford police officer of using excessive force while arresting him in 2010. The article linked above mentions that the man alleges that the officer beat him, threw him against a car, and tasered him three times. The man filed a complaint with the town’s police commission.
- A Stratford police officer was cleared of all excessive force charges after an eight-month investigation in spring of 2018. The article linked in the previous sentence claims that that the investigation was opened after an incident in May of 2017 where the police officer was chasing a man who had outstanding arrest warrants. The police officer’s taser malfunctioned so instead he tackled the suspect to the ground and punched him in the head several times. The man was later diagnosed with a fracture in his back. Investigators ruled there was no grounds for excessive force charges based on the evidence and medical records.
- In 2012, a federal jury cleared a Stratford police officer and state trooper of brutality and excessive force charges they were accused of after three arrests were made in 2007. The article linked mentions that one of the plaintiffs in the case alleged his constitutional rights were violated when he was tasered twice and bitten twice by police dogs while trying to leave a fight area.
Getting Help
If you think that you are a victim of police brutality in the Stratford area, contact our office. We have offices nearby and deal with courthouses in the area. We can help you determine how to proceed, file a complaint, and file a lawsuit if these are appropriate for your situation.