Incidents Of NYPD Police Brutality On The Rise
In 2010, the Civilian Complaint Review Board reported 6,476 allegations of New York police misconduct, and of these complaints more than half involved excessive use of force and abuse of power.
According to an investigation by the Associated Press, over the last ten years New York City has forked out an estimated $1 billion to settle lawsuits against the NYPD, with the bulk of those funds paid for police brutality claims. Some NYPD officers have been taken to court several times, as was the case for one Brooklyn sergeant who has been sued on seven separate occasions based on allegations of brutality. Studies suggest that the majority of police brutality episodes go unreported out of fear of retaliation, ultimately allowing the offending officers to commit the same types of crimes repeatedly.
Every year, NYPD police brutality lawyers help victims take their claims to court and recover millions of dollars in payouts for their injuries, emotional trauma, and physical pain and suffering.
Types of police brutality and misconduct
Police officers are frequently faced with life or death situations in which they must react in highly stressful and dangerous circumstances. While they have sworn an oath to protect and serve, sometimes officers cross the line and unnecessary force is used.
Some forms of police brutality and misconduct include:
- Excessive use of force (extreme physical abuse such as beating, kicking, choking, or otherwise brutalizing a person)
- Implied violence (verbal threats and abuse)
- Sexual assault or rape
- Abuse of power
- Wrongful shootings
- Inappropriate use of taser and stun guns
- Misconduct (racial profiling, searches without probable cause, and intentional false arrests)
New York police brutality settlements
Several incidents of New York police misconduct have been in the media spotlight in recent years, but hundreds of cases just like them are reported every year in NYC. The city’s biggest payouts through 2008 include:
- Abner Louima, who received $7.125 million after being brutally beaten by NYPD officers in a police station.
- Franklyn Waldron, who was paralyzed after being shot by a police officer. He received $8 million.
- Salimata Sanfo received a settlement of $3 million after her spouse, Ousmane Zongo, was fatally shot by police in the midst of a storage warehouse raid.
- Richard Bolds, who was injured during an encounter with NYPD. He was granted $2.25 million.
- The family of Sean Bell received $3.25 million after Sean, who was unarmed, was shot dead by police on the day of his wedding. NYC also paid $3.9 million to two of Bell’s acquaintances who were injured during the deadly incident.
New York police are empowered with great authority to make arrests, use force when necessary, and seize evidence, but when officers use brutality or act out legal bounds, the results are often catastrophic. Statutes of limitations dictate whether civil claims can be filed and successfully litigated, so it’s crucial to discuss your case with NYPD brutality lawyers as soon as possible.
The Sanders Firm: experience you can trust
Police brutality claims involve law enforcement officers who abuse their power and subsequently violate a person’s constitutional rights. If you or someone you care about has been the victim of police assault or brutality, a wrongful police shooting, or false arrest, you may be entitled to monetary damages. The NYPD police brutality lawyers at The Sanders Firm strongly advocate on behalf of victims of any type of police misconduct. If you suffered physical injuries stemming from an improper arrest or other incident involving excessive force, contact our law offices to discuss your claim.
A New York police misconduct lawsuit can not only recover compensation for the victims and their families, it can also help keep officers from committing the same crimes again. Contact our firm for a confidential, no-cost consultation: 1.800.FAIR.PLAY.
