A Short Guide
It is an issue that has been called to light a lot in recent years, particularly in the United States. And while many people may see police officers as an entity that is there to help them, if you have had a problematic run-in with the police, you may be entitled to legal compensation.
There is a use of force that is applied by police officers, and the term is reasonable force. For example, if you are running at a police officer and they immobilize you temporarily without causing long-term damage whilst explaining what they are doing, this is the use of reasonable force.
When it comes to excessive force, it can be a bit harder to pin down, so this guide will provide you with what falls into that category.
Being Hit
If you were to assault a police officer physically, and then they physically assaulted you back, this is being hit by a police officer and would warrant excessive force. Legally, they are trained to restrain you and should not assault you back unless they feel that their life is in danger.
So, if you were simply at a peaceful protest and got hit by a police officer on purpose, this is excessive force, and you should seek the advice of a police excessive force lawyer to defend you.
Unlawful Restraint
As mentioned earlier, police officers are legally allowed to restrain someone who may be using a weapon or threatening to use a weapon. But if you have been unlawfully restrained by police officers and have been put into poses that have caused secondary issues with your breathing, this is going to warrant an excessive force complaint.
For instance, if a police officer restrained you by pushing you against a wall and you hit your head, this would be a classic example of unlawful restraint being used.
Being Held
There are some instances where police officers are allowed to hold you in place. If when they were holding you, they held you too tightly, did not ask if you were comfortable, and ensured that you could breathe, this warrants excessive force and should be followed up with a legal team. This is more important if there are any signs of physical injury left where you were held, such as bruising or cuts.
Being Tasered
A police officer is legally allowed to use a taser on you if they feel that there is no other way to immobilize you. This can be the case if you have a gun or other weapon and it is not safe for them to go near you to restrain you. But if you have been tasered for a minor incident or what you felt was minimal, you should seek legal advice to see if compensation is applicable, especially if you have heart issues.
Being Pepper Sprayed
In a similar vein, police officers are allowed to use pepper spray on the general public if they feel it is the only way to prevent them from committing an action. But if you were simply protesting or stating your frustration to a police officer and they then sprayed you in the eyes with pepper spray, this is excessive force and should warrant further legal investigation.