Mistakes in policing can lead to tragic results. No profession is free from errors or people who operate outside the rules. Policing is no different. That said, when police work is conducted improperly, the consequences can be severe.
Bad Policing Affects Everyone
When police are allowed to do what they want with no accountability, it has dire consequences for the community.
You could be falsely accused of a crime you didn’t commit. Or you could be arrested based on an obscure and arcane law. You could even be stopped and searched as a pretext for finding something else with which to charge you. Even egregious behavior from an officer to a community member can be shrugged off and ignored.
The Problem Can Be Small and Serious at the Same Time
The large majority of police officers can be responsible, professional and competent, and bad policing can still be a problem.
Even a single officer or situation can create a situation that needs to be addressed. All of these issues need to be handled immediately:
- Use of excessive force
- Problems with the chain of evidence
- Abuse of power
- Failure to follow protocol or best practices
- Failure to read people their rights
- Performing illegal searches
Public perception is a significant problem, but it’s not the only one. A police force that denies or hides problems can’t be trusted, even if they do things correctly most of the time. Accountability is vital to ensure that people are not being arrested or convicted when they shouldn’t be.
Hidden Records of Mistakes in Policing
When mistakes in policing are made, the public should have access to the pertinent information. Unfortunately, many states have laws in place that make it difficult or impossible for the public to learn about these situations.
A culture of secrecy in policing makes everything worse. The individuals who engage in police misconduct are allowed to avoid needed scrutiny. They are allowed to continue falling short of expectations until a large enough disaster occurs. In the meantime, the public is left unsure of whether substandard police are being held accountable at all.
What Does Accountability Look Like?
In addition to more easily accessible records of misconduct reports, the individuals involved must be held accountable. This could be done through reprimands, additional training, reassignment of duties or, in severe cases, dismissal. Independent oversight could relieve law enforcement agencies of the responsibility to punish their own.
Police also deserve to be protected from false accusations so that real instances of misconduct can be addressed. Transparent proceedings and open records can help further this goal.
Experienced Criminal Defense Makes a Difference
Have you been mistreated by police or falsely accused of a crime? You need a law firm that isn’t afraid to hold law enforcement officers accountable. At Lee & Wood, our Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers have the skill and knowledge to protect you. Call us at 817-678-6771 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.