Police brutality: would you intervene?

[Saltyk]

I'd find something sharp and kill the policemen before they could kill the innocent. Hey, I always wanted to be an assassin that fought for truth and justice, may as well start there.

In that case, after killing the police, you should turn yourself in to the local authorities. And then get ready to receive the same exact treatment that the guy you tried to save received, but far worse. The police don't take kindly to someone murdering other cops. Which is what you would have done. Good job, Champ! You're a regular superhero.

 

[Kinokohatake]

Well I don't carry a camera with me and don't own a phone. So, no. I have learned to keep to myself.

 

[Verzin]

Film them, that is all.

They have body armor. I don't.

They have billy clubs. I don't.

They have guns. I don't.

Take the fight to the public arena...where you're most likely to win.

I seem to remember that legislature was in the works in a couple US states to make filming or audio-taping on-duty police officers a felony. I believe that it was disputed and eventually overruled in most states that passed or considered the law, but I know at least one state actually passed laws making the recording of on-duty police officers a felony for a short while.

EDIT: The article below is from 2011. This whole issue is about as below the radar as it gets, and I have not the time to search for a more recent source.

may still be a felony in Illinois as the dispute of the law is still pending an appeal (It was dismissed). http://www.lorilevinlaw.com/2/post/2011/12/audiotaping-on-duty-police-officers-in-illinois-and-the-eavesdropping-statute.html
Utah (the state I live in) was also considering legislation to make recording the actions of police officers a felony. terrifying prospect. Absolutely terrifying. Welcome to the police state of tomorrow.

 

[Vanitas likes Bubbles]

I'd find something sharp and kill the policemen before they could kill the innocent. Hey, I always wanted to be an assassin that fought for truth and justice, may as well start there.

In that case, after killing the police, you should turn yourself in to the local authorities. And then get ready to receive the same exact treatment that the guy you tried to save received, but far worse. The police don't take kindly to someone murdering other cops. Which is what you would have done. Good job, Champ! You're a regular superhero.

Why would I turn myself in to the cops exactly?

 

[DudeistBelieve]

You are faced with a situation. A couple of police officers (confirmed identities) are clearly beating the shit out of a handcuffed person in about their twenties. You saw the whole thing and the victim did nothing wrong.

Personally, I would get someone filming the incident in clear view before warning these thugs in uniform and then trying my best to physically stop them if they refuse to listen.

Maybe the law would screw me over, too. Morally however, I would be completely in the right.

So what? this bloke was just standing waiting for the bus and Police just jump him? The guy yells out "I haven't done anything!" and the policeman just hollars out "WE KNOW, WE JUST LIKE BEATING PEOPLE!!!"

Farfetch'd to me. Shit just doesn't happen to people for no reason.

 

[theparsonski]

I probably would, only because of the red mist. I'd end up with the crap kicked out of me and probably in prison, but I can't imagine I'd let it happen, and I don't know if I'd think to film it.

 

[loa]

How the hell do you go from "beating the shit out of" to "life-death situation"?
How would you know it is one? Are you a clairvoyant or something? You can't tell.
Also, how do you even know the person is "innocent"? Because "you saw the victim do nothing wrong"? Fucking. Please.

This scenario is almost as ridiculous as all those wannabe tough-guys who state they would totally attack and kill the policemen as if that is the solution to this non-specific, most generic scenario ever that leaves an ocean of variables open.
If you seriously thing there's nothing wrong with the sentiment of "Hell yeah, if I kinda feel like that guy is innocent and I guess it may be a life-death situation, I'd totally pick something sharp up and kill the police!" you're probably dangerous and should turn yourself in.
Goes to show how much internet forums have to do with reality, really.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

I don't blame you for taking that attitude. From almost everything I've heard, the law and order system in the USA sounds f**ked up - police seem to be above the law.

It's really fucked up to say this, but that's pretty much how it goes around here.

 

[MammothBlade]

How the hell do you go from "beating the shit out of" to "life-death situation"?
How would you know it is one? Are you a clairvoyant or something? You can't tell.
Also, how do you even know the person is "innocent"? Because "you saw the victim do nothing wrong"? Fucking. Please.

This scenario is almost as ridiculous as all those wannabe tough-guys who state they would totally attack and kill the policemen as if that is the solution to this non-specific, most generic scenario ever that leaves an ocean of variables open.
If you seriously thing there's nothing wrong with the sentiment of "Hell yeah, if I kinda feel like that guy is innocent and I guess it may be a life-death situation, I'd totally pick something sharp up and kill the police!" you're probably dangerous and should turn yourself in.
Goes to show how much internet forums have to do with reality, really.

It's a hypothetical scenario, obviously. If you actually read the rest of my posts in this thread, you'd see that I stated it doesn't matter what supposed crime they have been accused of, police officers should not be carrying out extrajudicial beatings of unarmed, handcuffed prisoners to the point of death. Yes, I have seen the whole thing unfold and the person was non-aggressive, did not resist arrest, and was compliant. The police officers are clearly in the wrong here. I don't know how I could make it any more obvious that what has gone down in this scenario is not in any way ambiguous or open to interpretation.

It seems as if you are in denial that there is such a thing as police brutality.

 

[Saulkar]

Depends on the circumstances.


Ohh-h-h-h fuck yes-s-s-s-s!

*ORGASM*

So... a fan runs over the field where he isn't allowed to be, gets subdued, he gets four rather HARD punches with a baton (compared to what you actually can do with these) probably because he's resisting arrest, maybe he's even biting/hitting and suddenly everybody turns against them?
What a fine move from these players indeed...

Exactly. They had him tackled (as they should have), he did not pose a physical threat nor did he commit a crime of violence and then a police officer lost his shit and started hitting a subdued man in the head. Cops be tripping.

 

[Saulkar]

Depends on the circumstances.


Ohh-h-h-h fuck yes-s-s-s-s!

*ORGASM*

What's wrong with you, and everyone else who 'loves' this video, that you think it's okay or admirable to attack someone doing their job? Those police officers (if they are cops instead of stadium security) could easily and quickly been murdered by the mob, esspecially the one who was surrounded by ten or more people punching and kicking him.

What is wrong with me? Identifying that A police officer abused his power and assaulted a subdued, uncooperative suspect who did not pose a physical threat. Everything the cops did was perfectly acceptable until one started hitting him in the head with a billy club.

 

[aba1]

I would call the police get other officers in there to stop them.

 

[Zingtea]

I would do my best to
a) film the incident
b) hopefully being discreet enough to not become a target myself
c) while at the same time calling 911.

Maybe it's more feasible to stick with filming. =P

 

[Saltyk]

I'd find something sharp and kill the policemen before they could kill the innocent. Hey, I always wanted to be an assassin that fought for truth and justice, may as well start there.

In that case, after killing the police, you should turn yourself in to the local authorities. And then get ready to receive the same exact treatment that the guy you tried to save received, but far worse. The police don't take kindly to someone murdering other cops. Which is what you would have done. Good job, Champ! You're a regular superhero.

Why would I turn myself in to the cops exactly?

You seriously don't understand how killing cops (even ones who are beating a person) is wrong? Yeah... I don't think there is anything to gain in continuing this conversation. Goodbye.

 

[galaktar]

Don't intervene physically. Film from a reasonable distance. There are apps available that upload your video to off-device storage. Make sure you have this and password protection, then you're golden. Behave respectably and remember that you are going to be represented in the film also. If you're in the US check up on state laws, there are a few that make filming legally tricky.

Think "concerned citizen" and not "fightin gainst the man."

 

[Dogstile]

Far to many variables, but i'd probably step in and shove them off him. I probably wouldn't be the only one around either.

Edit: In fact, I usually step in when its people I don't know, police would make me pause but using your situation, if I know they're being excessive and he's done nothing to deserve it i'd definitely stop them.