How to Avoid Being the Victim of Police Brutality

This article explores how to avoid being the victim of police brutality.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Common Sense

1. Don't break the law
2. *Watch the movie American Gangster
   *Don't be so trusting that your local police are always out to protect your rights and ensure your safety. Yes, in the overwhelming percentage of cases, this is true. However, don't be so naive as to think there aren't bad cops out there. Just as in every profession, you don't whether that cop graduated at the top of the academy, or at the bottom!
3. It is essential that you understand some things about police brutality in the United States:
   
   1. After 9/11, the country witnessed an increase of racial profiling by law enforcement against those of Middle Eastern, Indian and even African descent.
   
   2. Police brutality is often associated with the phenomenon of racial profiling. However, you can be the victim of brutality no matter what your race, gender or age.
   
   It's important to keep these things in mind. Systematic abuse has occurred and contintues to occur in certain sectors of society. Therefore, one aspect of eliminating police brutality is cherishing and upholding civil rights on a larger scale.
4. If pulled over, refrain from doing things like:
   * calling the officer names;
   * being adversarial, aggressive or confrontational;
   * resisting arrest
   * swearing at the officer
5. If detained, arrested or charged unjustly:
   
   * follow proper legal procedure at all times.
   * call a lawyer who specializes in police misconduct cases.
   * write your city council representative, state government representative and/or congressman.
   * join a police watchdog organization and tell them about your case