Patrick G. Geckle LLC

Cops Caught on Tape

How far is too far when it comes to the police’s war on crime? 

This news clip recounts the experiences of the lead singer of a band called O.N.E after he experienced police misconduct first-hand. Michigan’s drug task force entered the lead singer’s private residence while he and his band-mates were recording in his basement recording studio using a search warrant based on an anonymous tip and a marijuana stem supposedly found in the garbage. While searching the home for drugs, police officials seized a number of unrelated property items including the singer’s DVD player, flat-screen TV, and two of his computers—all while discussing what other items they could get away with taking. Get the full story with this video.

Police misconduct is a serious violation that the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle have been fighting for years. If you're located in Philadelphia or South Jersey our team can help you fight back. For more information on filing a lawsuit for police brutality or police misconduct, contact us at (267) 234-7708.

Are You a Taser Victim?

Government officials and law enforcement agencies have turned increasingly towards less-than-lethal weapons over the past several years, with many carrying the Taser—a hand-held weapon designed to deliver an electric shock and incapacitate an individual.

Studies by Taser International Incorporated show that Tasers are used in over 7,000 of the 18,000 United States law enforcement agencies with more than 140,000 Tasers being used by police officials in the field. Even with the establishment of use-of-force policies, operational protocols, and safety procedures, police misconduct and the unlawful use of Taser has been steadily increasing as more of these devices enter the field. 

Police misconduct through the use of Tasers is a growing problem across the nation. A report by the New York Civil Liberties Union demonstrated that a number of police departments across the state, including Albany’s, were guilty of the improper, unwarranted, or poorly documented deployment of electroshock weapons. The report not only stated that police officials used repeated and prolonged Taser shocks but that they disproportionately deployed Tasers on African Americans over white individuals. Furthermore, victims in approximately 75 percent of cases were not verbally warned by the police officer before being shocked.

A single Taser shock may contain up to 50,000 volts of electricity and can often penetrate two inches of clothing. While isolated incidents cause pain and temporary paralysis, repeated or extended Taser shocks can increase the risk of injury and even death. Fortunately, an experienced civil rights attorney can help provide legal representation for individuals who have been injured due to improper Taser use. In many cases, an attorney will aid the victims in gaining compensation for damages, including medical expenses and pain and suffering.

The police abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle are experienced in a number of practice areas, including the injuries due to the excessive use of Tasers, police assault, and abuse by prison guards. Get the representation you need in Philadelphia or South Jersey by contacting us at (267) 234-7708 or set up an initial consultation by visiting our website.

Staying Safe During Protests

Whether or not you chose to participate in a protest, you should be aware of your civil rights and protect them vigilantly. For help exercising your rights and avoiding police misconduct, read the following articles.

• The ACLU outlines the rights you have when protesting.

• Poet Robert Hass describes what happened when police broke up the Occupy protest on the University of California campus in Berkeley.

• The Ohio State Bar Association provides a comprehensive look at your rights when arrested.

• Philadelphia has had its own issues with police trying to dissuade citizens from filing complaints; however, according to this article, supervisors are trying to solve the problem.

If you’ve been subjected to police brutality or misconduct, call the law firm of Patrick G. Geckle, LLC for assistance today. You can reach our Philadelphia office by dialing (267) 234-7708.

The Occupy Movement: Notable Accounts of Police Misconduct

When dispersing Occupy protests around the country, there is no doubt that many police officers were courteous and respectful. However, the few exceptions to this rule are horrifying in their brutality, violence, and disregard for civil rights. Though police misconduct occurred all around the country, here are a few of the most notable examples.

Occupy Berkeley:

• In the New York Times, former Poet Laureate Robert Hass writes of his time as part of the Occupy protest on the campus of the University of California, Berkely. When the police came to break up the protest, Hass’s elderly wife was knocked to the ground, and Hass himself was hit with a baton. Student protestors were beaten as they tried to run away, and Hass witnessed a female protestor being dragged by her hair across the grass by a police officer. Worse yet, before beginning this campaign of violence, officers never gave demonstrators the chance to peacefully disperse.

Occupy Los Angeles: 

• TV writer Patrick Meighan’s account of his time at Occupy Los Angeles depicts even more violence and violation of basic rights. To begin, nonviolent protestors’ tents and personal property were destroyed without warning or provocation. With almost three hundred other protestors, Meighan was brutally arrested and taken to prison, where he, like everyone else, had bail set at the exorbitant amount of $5,000. Meighan was never allowed to post bail and was kept in jail for 48 hours.

Occupy New York:

• In Zucotti Park, the center of the Occupy New York movement, police didn’t just attack protestors; they also used violence against reporters who were not part of the demonstration. Members of the press were even arrested by police when they were spotted making notes or taking photographs.

If you were injured or falsely arrested by the police as part of an Occupy protest, your civil rights were violated and you deserve compensation. Call the law firm of Patrick G. Geckle, LLC at (267) 234-7708 to discuss your options for obtaining judicial recourse against your attackers in Philadelphia of New Jersey.

See an Undercover Man Try to File a Complaint about an Officer

If a police office has harassed you or behaved inappropriately, you have the right to file a complaint. Unfortunately, as this video shows, exercising that right isn’t always as easy as it should be. 

As you’ll see, an ordinary man wearing a hidden camera visits several police stations and asks to file a complaint. Instead of letting him have a complaint form, police officers consistently treat him in a hostile manner bordering on interrogation. Indeed, one officer even places him under false arrest.

Police officers have a duty to protect and serve their communities, and this includes allowing and investigating complaints. If you need assistance filing a complaint against the Philadelphia Police Department, call (267) 234-7708 to reach the law firm of Patrick G. Geckle, LLC.