Does the US Law Permit the Police Officers to Use Force?
The primary task of any police officers is to save an ordinary person from criminals. They respond to the calls of people in need. The police officers maintain and enforce the law of the land. Sometimes, the cops may fail to act as per the legal handbook. Such acts are examples of police brutality.
The US law highlights that police officers can use limited force on ordinary people, suspects, and criminals. Applying severe force on the suspects can pave the path for a police brutality case.
Physical Force
The law enforcement officers must arrest the criminal. These perpetrators do not surrender with ease. The cops can use verbal threats so that the criminal surrenders. The police can flash their guns. If the criminal tries to hit the police officers, they can use physical force.
The cadets learn several techniques in the police training academies. They can use chokeholds on the criminals. This hold renders the criminal powerless. The criminal can lose consciousness during an extended chokehold. It helps the law enforcers to restrain the perpetrators with handcuffs.
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The police officers can use physical force to overpower an individual. However, they cannot restore to physical violence. The law enforcement officers cannot slap, punch, or kick the criminals. Physical torture is a punishable offense. The victims can file cases against the policemen in case the cops break this law.
Torture during Detention
After an apprehension, the cops must bring in the criminal for questioning. The detectives have the authority to ask questions. The US law ensures the physical wellbeing of the apprehended suspect. No US state allows the detectives or police officers to use brute force on the suspects.
They cannot torture the suspect or compel the individual, to tell the truth. If the suspect gets hurt during the detention term, he/she can file a lawsuit against the police department. The police brutality lawyers can fight for the human rights of the victim, even if he/she is a principal suspect.
The detectives can question any person related to the crime. They can ask the person to visit the precinct for an interview. If the person asks for a lawyer, the detectives must stop the interrogation at once. In case the detectives continue their investigation, it is a breach of law.
The person can file a legal complaint against the detectives. If the evidence does not favor the detectives, the victim can get compensation for harassment.
Use of Fire Power
The US law enforcement department offers a service gun to the police officers. The homicide detectives also possess service guns. These are sophisticated weapons. However, the law limits the use of firepower. The bullets fired from these guns can kill a person. The US law states that the objective of any police officer is to save another person from violence.
The police officers can use their guns on two different occasions. The office can fire a bullet at the criminal if the cop’s life is in danger. If a suspect tries to escape, cops can shoot at him/her. The police must aim at the perpetrator’s legs and fire. It can render the person immobile. The cops can catch the person with ease.
During the police training, the cadets learn how to use the gun. The coaches also teach them how to use the firearm, and compel the suspect to surrender. If the suspect surrenders, the cops must not use the weapons.
The US law forbids the cops to use firearms against an unarmed person. However, several unarmed people lose their lives or get gunshot wounds. The victims or their family members can file complaints against the cops. These cases fall under the police brutality category.
The police brutality lawyers can draft the case documents, and submit it at the court. The attorney must prove that his/her client is a victim of police misconduct. If the jury has the same view, then the court can order the defendant to pay a befitting compensation.
A victim can fight for his/her rights. The law is the same for every individual. If any police officer committees a crime, then he/she must accept the punishment. You can get more information on police brutality cases in the USA from the internet.
