In certain cases, some of the people who are supposed to keep us safe abuse their power. Many police officers perform their duties with dedication and respect for the rights of others. When an officer oversteps their bounds, however, a member of the public can get hurt or even killed.
Some officers may try to cover their actions by vilifying the victim and bringing embarrassing facts from the past into the public light. In some police departments, the officers may “circle the wagons” and protect the “cowboy cops” who use excessive force and engage in other misconduct, like racial discrimination.
A Franklin police brutality lawyer at The Cochran Firm – Nashville wants to fight for the person whose rights and dignity were not respected, the one who was treated unfairly or with excessive force. Thankfully, these incidents are not common, but these things should never happen. If you or a loved one were the victim of police brutality, please call (615) 651-7451 today to speak with a member of our team. The consultation is free and confidential.
Franklin Police Department Rules
According to the Franklin Police Department’s Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs posted on the City of Franklin’s official website, regulations limit the use of deadly force and prohibit bias-based profiling. An officer is only allowed to use deadly force to defend human life. The officer may use deadly force to protect themself or someone else who is “in imminent danger of serious physical injury.”
Whenever a police officer uses deadly force in other situations, it violates the rules under which the officer serves. For example, if the police suspect that an individual might have passed a bad check at a store, the police are not allowed to use deadly force to apprehend that individual. Even if a person committed a crime, the police do not have the right to engage in excessive force and violence.
For a free legal consultation with a police brutality lawyer serving Franklin, call 615-651-7451
Profiling
The Police Department FAQs also say that their department’s written directive forbids officers from engaging in bias-based profiling when they make arrests, field contacts, and traffic stops. The department states it conducts repeated training about profiling.
Despite having rules to the contrary, tragic stories on the news reveal that some police officers around the United States engage in police brutality and misconduct. Other forms of police misconduct can include:
- Strip searches when there is no good faith rationale for the invasive and degrading search.
- Illegal profiling. Some police officers have an inherent bias against certain groups of people based on race, religion, country of origin, sexual identity, and other prohibited discrimination. For example, a white person might call the police on a person of color and falsely accuse him of attacking her. Without any evidence, the police might arrest the innocent man and charge him with assault, ruining his career, and taking away his freedom and dignity.
- Sexual assault, which includes any non-consensual sexual activity per Medline Plus. This offense may occur when an officer is out in the field, but there have been instances of sexual assault of detained or jailed individuals.
- Improper use of police power to coerce someone into doing something against his or her will. For example, this could mean blackmailing a person into engaging in sexual acts with the officer under threat that he or she will disclose embarrassing information if the victim does not comply. Also, the implied threat of violence from a police officer can be considered coercion when the officer uses that fear to force the person to do something they do not want to do.
- Excessive physical violence is more than deadly force. If an officer “roughs up” someone who does not present a physical threat and is not combative, the officer can be guilty of excessive force or excessive violence. Shoving or knocking down a person who is not committing a crime can also be considered excessive use of force.
A Franklin police brutality lawyer at The Cochran Firm – Nashville wants to help protect your rights. You can call our team today at (615) 651-7451 to discuss the details of your case.
Franklin Police Brutality Lawyer Near Me 615-651-7451
Three Steps to Take After Police Brutality
The steps you should take after becoming a victim of police brutality will depend on the unique facts of your situation. You should always do what makes sense and protects your safety. Here are a few suggestions of steps you might want to take when it is safe to do so:
- If you have not already done so, get medical attention as soon as possible. The medical records may be evidence of the severity of your injuries and their cause.
- Try to document your injuries and anything else that is relevant to photographs and videos. Try to get the names and contact information of witnesses who could testify and might have taken photos or video of the incident.
- Get help from a Franklin police brutality lawyer as soon as possible. It is vital that we take action immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Police camera footage can get erased or lost.
Police brutality can be a personal injury case, among other possible claims. According to Tennessee Code §28-3-104, the state of Tennessee only gives you one year to file a lawsuit seeking to collect monetary damages for your injuries and losses. If you miss the deadline, the law can forever bar you from pursuing compensation.
Contact The Cochran Firm – Nashville to find out if you have a valid claim for police brutality in Franklin today. Call (615) 651-7451 to speak to a member of our team. The initial consultation is free. We can keep the conversation confidential from the police.
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