Police Brutality

Police brutality can be defined as the use of excessive or unnecessary force by police against civilians. But police brutality is just one of many types of police misconduct. Some examples of police brutality are:

- Harassing, searching or intimidating people for just standing around
- Profiling based on race, religion, or gender for example “driving while black”
- Verbally attacking or threatening individuals
- Physically mistreating or beating detainees
- Shooting or killing the people they’re supposed to protect

These are just some examples of police brutality.

According to NYC's Civilian Complaint Review Board:

In 2005, 6,796 complaints were filed with the CCRB. The complaint rate has been steadily increasing since 2001.

In 2005, the race of victims whose allegations the CCRB substantiated were as follows: 12% white, 57% black, 20% Latino, 3% Asian, and 8% "other." In comparison, the New York City population is 35% white, 25% black, 27% Latino, 10% Asian, and 4% "other." At the same time, 62% of police officers who had complaints substantiated against them were white, 12% black, 24% Latino, and 2% Asian. This is consistent with the overall demographics of the NYPD in 2005, which was 58% white, 16% black, 23% Latino, and 3% Asian.

Youth, people of color and queer folks are harrassed by cops so routinely that most never bother to file a complaint. Why should we have to be afraid of the people who are supposed to protect us? This has to change. We can make a difference. We must stand up for our rights and most importantly our lives.

For More Information About Police Brutality

Check Out these Links:

http://www.hrw.org/reports98/police/

tion.html...

025690000692D98...

http://soc.enotes.com/police-brutality-article

http://www.refuseandresist.org/ndp/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_brutality

Organizations that are Fighting Police Brutality:

Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, People's Self Defense Campaign
http://mxgm.org/

http://www.october22.org/index.html (New York City)

http://www.fiercenyc.org (New York City)

http://www.nomoreprisons.org/ (New York City)

http://www.youthec.org/youthforce/ (Oakland)

Know Your Rights!/ Protect Yourself!

Know Your Rights: What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police
http://www.aclu.org/police/gen/14528res20040730.html

What to do: Street Stop Scenario
http://www.flexyourrights.org/street_stop_scenario

Police Misconduct and Your Rights
http://hyperreal.org/misconduct/rights.htm

To file a complaint with NYC civilian Complaint Review Board
http://www.nyc.gov/html/ccrb/
Or call the CCRB Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: dial 311 (outside NYC dial 212-NEW-YORK; TTY/TDD - 212-504-4115)