Topic
Excessive force
192 published works
Education Law Prof Blog
No More Routine Handcuffing in School?
By Derek Black
Early this month, I posted the story of a five year old special needs student in a New York City public school that was restrained with his hands behind his back…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
Police officer pointed gun at teenager’s head because of seat belt violation…
...according to this local report. The incident in the driveway of the the teenager's home prompted his family to file a civil rights suit against the local Georgia PD for…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
LAPD officer’s “horrific” attack left man “look[ing] like a rag doll” as he was carried to nearby squad car
Twenty-two-year-old Clinton Alford was riding his bicycle when he heard over his shoulder the command to stop. He says he didn't know who it was, so he ran. Two police…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
Appeals court finds officers violated civil rights of “calm child” they cuffed for disobeying teacher
An en banc 9th Cir. recently ruled that two Sonora, Calif. PD officers used excessive force when they handcuffed an 11-year-old who hadn't followed his teacher's instructions during recess, reports Education…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
“This is about a man who simply wanted his shoes…”
...said Rev. Terrance Hughes after receiving news that a jury had awarded $4.65 million to the family of his friend, Marvin Booker, who died in 2010 while in a Denver…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
Surveillance video shows NYPD officers violently attack teenager
According to this local report, one of the police officers pointed his gun at the 16-year-old before the two officers commenced beating him. They allegedly broke one of the victim's…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
Police brutality verdict sets new record in Portland
Portland got slapped with $562,000 in damages to be paid to the man to whom several of the city's police officers did this (it's a beating, so viewer discretion and…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
Not exactly ideal police behavior…
A Chicago policeman with "dozens of excessive force complaints over the years" is facing felony charges and a civil rights suit after allegedly "shoving his gun down [the] throat" of…
Civil Rights Law & Policy Blog
L.A. to pay $5 million in damages for 2013 shooting by LAPD officers
As protests continue in Ferguson, MO over the shooting death of Michael Brown, the L.A. City Council reminds us that the costs of excessive force by police extends beyond the…
Understanding the ADA
Police liability redux: ADA, Excessive Force, failure to intervene
I have been blogging now for almost 3 years. We recently passed the 50,000 views mark. Thanks!! The holy grail of legal blogs is the American Bar Association Blawg 100.…