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How does an individual report a police officer in Gainesville, Florida for misconduct?

How does an individual report a police officer in Gainesville, Florida for misconduct?

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When a police officer engages in an act of misconduct and causes harm to an individual, the individual can file a complaint with the Internal Affairs Unit of the Gainesville Police Department. The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for handling complaints filed against officers.

If an individual feels their rights were violated during their encounter with a Gainesville police officer or they were injured as a result of an officer abusing their right to apply force, they can start the complaint process by filling out the Internal Affairs Citizen Complaint Form which can be accessed by clicking here and submitting it to the agency or the City of Gainesville Equal Opportunity Department (EOD)

 

After a Complaint Has Been Submitted

 

After an individual has submitted their complaint, it will be forwarded to the Internal Affairs Division and they can expect the following to occur:

  1. According to the Gainesville Police Department’s website, an Administrative Investigation Referral Form shall be completed in order for the division to begin the formal complaint process and investigation.
  2. The Inspector of Police will send a letter to the complainant acknowledging they received their complaint form. 

Important: If the complaint is considered minor, it shall be investigated by the Bureau Commanders for investigation. 

  1. The complainant may be contacted to complete an interview, which may or may not be done at the police department.
  2. An investigator or supervisor will then conduct an initial investigation.
  3. The investigator will gather documentation that may or may not support the allegations made in the complaint and submit it to the Inspector of Police to review it.
  4. The Inspector will determine using the information he/she receives whether misconduct may have occurred.
  5. If the Inspector determines that no misconduct occurred, the information shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review. If the Chief agrees with the findings, the complainant will be notified of this.
  6. In the event the Inspector determines the officer in question may have engaged in an act of misconduct, then the investigation shall continue and the Chief of Police shall make a final decision on the matter.

 

What if the complainant doesn’t agree with the decision that was made on their case?

 

If the complainant doesn’t agree with the decision that was made, they may make any objections in writing or in person at the Internal Affairs Division or the EOD.

 

When should an individual contact a Gainesville, FL police brutality lawyer?

 

Individuals who have suffered serious injuries and are looking to recover compensation to make up for their pain and suffering among other things should contact a Gainesville police brutality attorney for legal help. A lawyer will be able to determine if they have a viable case, what it is worth, and the steps they need to take to recover the money they are due.

Police brutality victims can contact Koberlein Law Offices if they would like to learn more about recovering compensation for the injuries and losses they suffered as a result of an officer’s act of misconduct.

 

Koberlein Law Offices can be reached at any of their office locations listed down below:

 

855 SW Baya Drive

Lake City, FL 32025

Phone: 386-269-9802

Website: www.klo-attorneys.com

 

118 Ohio Avenue N, Suite A

Live Oak, FL 32064

Phone: 386-516-2626

 

8443 SW 14 Lane

Gainesville, FL 32607

Phone: 352-519-4357

How can a person file a complaint against a police officer in Daytona Beach, Florida?

How can a person file a complaint against a police officer in Daytona Beach, Florida?

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If an individual was injured by a police officer who engaged in an act of misconduct and they wish to recognize an officer for their unethical or illegal behavior, they can file a complaint with the Daytona Beach Police Department. Filing a complaint can be done in one of three ways which include:

  1. File the complaint in person at the Daytona Beach Police Department which is located at:

129 Valor Boulevard

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

When filing a complaint in nperson, individuals are asked to request to speak with a supervisor or a representative of The Office of Professional Standards.

  1. Call the department at (386) 671-5100 to speak with a supervisor.
  2. File a complaint in writing and mail it to The Office of Professional Standards, which is a unit within the Daytona Beach Police Department.

 

What happens after a complaint is filed against an officer in Daytona Beach?

 

Once a complaint has been filed, it will be:

  1. Investigated.
  2. Forwarded to a Division Deputy Chief.
  3. A supervisor will then be assigned to investigate the claims that were made in the complaint.

 

After a supervisor has been assigned to the case, they shall conduct interviews, meet with witnesses, and gather other pertinent information that can be used to determine if the allegations being made are valid. Once the supervisor has finished with his/her investigation, they shall forward their findings to the appropriate Division Deputy Chief who shall then make a final decision on the case.

In the event the findings reveal that the officer was acting out of line, corrective or disciplinary action may be taken.

 

When the Allegations are Serious

 

In the event an individual suffered severe injuries as a result of excessive force being applied during their encounter with an officer in Daytona Beach and they are looking to do more than recognize them for their act of misconduct, it might benefit them to file a civil lawsuit against the police agency. Filing a civil lawsuit will allow a police brutality victim the opportunity to seek financial relief to pay for the medical care they had rendered and even for the pain and suffering they have had to endure.

While some civil lawsuits go all the way to trial, others are settled early on after the lawsuit is filed and outside of the courtroom.

 

How does a police brutality victim know if they are entitled to compensation?

 

Police brutality victims can find out if they have a case and what it is worth by scheduling an initial consultation with a Daytona Beach, FL police brutality lawyer. Pappas and Russell, P.A. is a personal injury law firm located in Daytona Beach that would be happy to assess an individual’s case and determine if they should be provided with financial relief.

 

Pappas and Russell, P.A. is located at:

 

213 Silver Beach Avenue

Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Phone: 386-254-2941

Website: www.pappasrussell.com

What if a Miami, Florida police officer causes an individual to suffer an eye injury?

What if a Miami, Florida police officer causes an individual to suffer an eye injury?

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While some encounters with police officers are civil, others turn violent when a suspect refuses to comply with an officer’s commands or an officer oversteps their authority and applies excessive force. In the event a Miami police officer abused their power and caused an individual to suffer an eye injury, they or their department may be held financially liable for covering the cost associated with the care the individual needed to have rendered along with the other expenses they incurred.

 

Eye Injuries and their Symptoms

 

The eye is a very sensitive part of the body that can easily become injured with little contact. Depending on the type of incident that occurred, a person’s eye can become bruised, scratched, or punctured.1 Some common types of eye injuries include:

  1. Black eye. An individual might suffer a black eye after experiencing a blow to the face. The area around the eye becomes bruised and may even swell which can interfere with a person’s ability to see clearly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
  2. Corneal abrasion. If the eye is hit with a foreign object or something like a fingernail, it can scratch the cornea.
  3. Orbital fractures. This is when the bones around the eye socket become fractured and is usually caused by “trauma or blunt force.” This can happen after an individual has been punched in the eye.
  4. Retinal detachment. Trauma to the eye can lead to retinal detachment. This can cause a person to experience permanent vision loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

 

Symptoms of an Eye Injury

 

Depending on the type of injury that was sustained, an individual might experience one or more of the following symptoms after suffering an eye injury:

  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Redness
  • Changes in vision
  • Swelling
  • Changes in eye appearance
  • Inability to see
  • Permanent loss of vision

 

Steps to Take After Suffering an Eye Injury Caused by a Police Officer

 

If an individual suffered an eye injury during their recent encounter with a Miami police officer and they would like to gain a better understanding of their legal rights, they can contact Mario Trespalacios P.A. to speak with a Miami, FL personal injury lawyer. Although police officers have the authority to apply force, even deadly force, they are not authorized to apply excessive force.

Excessive force is any level of force that is deemed unreasonable. An officer who hits a suspect who poses no threat to them or the community and is complying with their commands would be guilty of applying excessive force.

If an individual would like to find out if they have the grounds to sue a police department and for how much, they can contact a Miami, FL personal injury attorney. Mario Trespalacios P.A. is a personal injury law firm located in Miami and offers free consultations.

 

Mario Trespalacios P.A. can be contacted at:

 

9495 SW 72 Street, Suite B-275

Miami, FL 33173

Phone: 305-261-5800

Website: www.mtpalegal.com

 

Source:

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16988-eye-injuries