Background Info
As IMPD gets ready to release its findings on the alleged use of excessive force against Brandon Johnson, I thought it would be interesting to share some data on police complaints and assaults against officers.
Using the Department’s 2008 Annual Report as a starting point there were more than 180 complaints filed IMPD officers in 2008, the topics ranged from officer conduct, procedure and unnecessary force. However, only 12 complaints were sustained.
In addition, the number of assaults against officers were actually up in 2008. There were 785 assaults against officers, with more than 170 resulting in officer injury. Officers were most likely to be injured while responding to a disturbance or while attempting an arrest. And they were more like to hit, kicked or punched by suspects.
I bring these stats up as a reminder that police business is inherently dangerous work. A routine traffic stop or domestic disturbance call can turn into something a lot more dangerous.
This does not excuse police brutality and I’ll be eager to see at what point with the encounter with Brandon Johnson where did the use of reasonable force necessary to subdue a suspect and affect and arrest turned into excessive force.
My money right now is that there was probably one or two officers out of the group that went too far while the rest followed Department procedure, but we’ll know more later this morning.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:04 am
We will see, won't we? If the report is not posted elsewhere, will you please post it online? Or provide a link? Thanks. I'll watch for it.
By the way, it's “affect an arrest.” With an “a,” not an “e”.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:23 am
And, by the way, an inordinate amount of ink (even if virtual) has been spent speculating on a matter of little real importance.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Thanks. That's what I get for typing while doing a radio show.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
ugh NEED not ened
June 10th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Lawyers rarely write properly. But your'e forgiven. Multi-tasking is difficult, even for geniuses. Do you ened me to buy you an AP Stylebook? Excellent reference.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
What will the self appointed old school leadership say now?
Will they offer outrage and focus upon demonizing law enforcement and promoting no community cooperation (No snitch campaign).
Will they call for a higher level of conduct and personal responsibility by members of the community?
Will they offer a statement in regards to the unacceptable levels of crime and misbehavior within the community? (Maybe even speak to Brandon and his brothers behavior?)
Will they try to raise the level of community outrage during the peak crime season, rally the community at the Expo, and follow it up with the standard financial shakedown?