The Viral Epidemic of Police Brutality

A look at recent cases of law enforcement misconduct.

Ain't Nobody Safe - Police officers' roles are to protect and serve. But based on the influx of viral videos, protests and demands for change, citizens seem to need protection from law enforcement. The July 17 death by chokehold of Eric Garner has brought to light an epidemic of police brutality plaguing the nation. In the following weeks, several viral videos surfaced — particularly of the New York Police Department (NYPD) — administering chokeholds and using excessive force to subdue alleged criminals. BET.com takes a look at the terrible trend, which has many communities demanding action against unruly officers. — Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Dan Callister/Newsmakers)

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Ain't Nobody Safe - Police officers' roles are to protect and serve. But based on the influx of viral videos, protests and demands for change, citizens seem to need protection from law enforcement. The July 17 death by chokehold of Eric Garner has brought to light an epidemic of police brutality plaguing the nation. In the following weeks, several viral videos surfaced — particularly of the New York Police Department (NYPD) — administering chokeholds and using excessive force to subdue alleged criminals. BET.com takes a look at the terrible trend, which has many communities demanding action against unruly officers. — Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Dan Callister/Newsmakers)

Chris Lollie  - Chris Lollie, a twenty-seven year old black man, was arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota for trespassing, disorderly conduct, and obstructing the legal process while waiting for his children to be released from school. Lollie was sitting in a private seating area when a police officer responded to a reported disturbance. While walking away from the skyway, the police officer follows Lollie and asks for identification. After refusing to comply, Lollie was tased, handcuffed, and taken in custody. In Minnesota, an individual is not required to produce identification to an officer, even if there is “reasonable suspicion” that an individual has committed a crime.

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Chris Lollie  - Chris Lollie, a twenty-seven year old black man, was arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota for trespassing, disorderly conduct, and obstructing the legal process while waiting for his children to be released from school. Lollie was sitting in a private seating area when a police officer responded to a reported disturbance. While walking away from the skyway, the police officer follows Lollie and asks for identification. After refusing to comply, Lollie was tased, handcuffed, and taken in custody. In Minnesota, an individual is not required to produce identification to an officer, even if there is “reasonable suspicion” that an individual has committed a crime.

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Dajerria Becton - In McKinney, Texas, fifteen-year old Dajerria Becton was arrested by Police Cpl. Eric Caseblot. In the viral video, Casebolt is seen slamming Becton into the ground as well as pulling her braids. While Becton is handcuffed and lying face down in the ground, Casebolt takes both of his knees and presses them across her back to further detain the teenager. Although Casebolt has resigned, many civil rights activists and community leaders state that this is not enough to mollify the situation.

Photo By Photo: Brandon Brooks via Youtube

Walter Scott  - On April 4, 2015, Walter Scott was pulled over for a broken taillight by Officer Michael Slager. During the interaction, Mr. Scott began to flee on foot and Slager pursued him. During the chase, Slager fired eight shots, many of which struck Scott in the back. The recorded video, which has since gone viral, captures Slager placing a taser next to Scott?s body. Slager has recently been indicted for the shooting.(Photo: REUTERS/South Carolina Law Enforcement Division/Handout)

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Walter Scott  - On April 4, 2015, Walter Scott was pulled over for a broken taillight by Officer Michael Slager. During the interaction, Mr. Scott began to flee on foot and Slager pursued him. During the chase, Slager fired eight shots, many of which struck Scott in the back. The recorded video, which has since gone viral, captures Slager placing a taser next to Scott’s body. Slager has recently been indicted for the shooting.(Photo: REUTERS/South Carolina Law Enforcement Division/Handout)

Charlena Cooks  - Recorded on January 26th, a Barstow Police Department officer responded to a complaint made by a school employee regarding a parking dispute. Charlene Cooks, who was eight months pregnant at the time, was charged for resisting arrest. Initially, the officer allows two minutes for Cooks to verify that he can legally ask for her identification. Approximately after twenty seconds, the officer grabs Cooks, throws her down to the ground and handcuffs her. According to ACLU SoCal, Charges against Cooks were later dropped.(Photo: Barstow Police Department)

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Charlena Cooks  - Recorded on January 26th, a Barstow Police Department officer responded to a complaint made by a school employee regarding a parking dispute. Charlene Cooks, who was eight months pregnant at the time, was charged for resisting arrest. Initially, the officer allows two minutes for Cooks to verify that he can legally ask for her identification. Approximately after twenty seconds, the officer grabs Cooks, throws her down to the ground and handcuffs her. According to ACLU SoCal, Charges against Cooks were later dropped.(Photo: Barstow Police Department)

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Maylene Maldando - Chicopee Police Chief, Daniel Major, is currently facing a one million dollar lawsuit for mishandling the arrest of Maylene Maldando. Maldando, who was under the influence of PCP, was detained after a confrontation over the confiscation of her license. In the recording, Maldando requests that an officer remove her lip piercing, which was causing her pain. After requesting multiple times, Major grabs Maldando?s neck in a chokehold and pulls her to the ground. Major has since been removed from the police department.(Photo: Chicopee Police Department)

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Maylene Maldando - Chicopee Police Chief, Daniel Major, is currently facing a one million dollar lawsuit for mishandling the arrest of Maylene Maldando. Maldando, who was under the influence of PCP, was detained after a confrontation over the confiscation of her license. In the recording, Maldando requests that an officer remove her lip piercing, which was causing her pain. After requesting multiple times, Major grabs Maldando’s neck in a chokehold and pulls her to the ground. Major has since been removed from the police department.(Photo: Chicopee Police Department)

Martese Johnson  - Martese Johnson, an honors student at the University of Virginia, was arrested after attempting to enter a local bar on St. Patrick?s Day. Photos that captured the incident show Johnson?s face and body covered in blood. He was charged for intoxication and obstruction of justice. The video of Johnson?s arrest went viral as supporters of Johnson rallied for an internal investigation into the arrest. Recently, Johnson has been cleared of all charges. (Photo: Bryan Beaubrun)

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Martese Johnson  - Martese Johnson, an honors student at the University of Virginia, was arrested after attempting to enter a local bar on St. Patrick’s Day. Photos that captured the incident show Johnson’s face and body covered in blood. He was charged for intoxication and obstruction of justice. The video of Johnson’s arrest went viral as supporters of Johnson rallied for an internal investigation into the arrest. Recently, Johnson has been cleared of all charges. (Photo: Bryan Beaubrun)

(Photo: Sanjay Seth via YouTube)

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(Photo: Sanjay Seth via YouTube)

Photo By Photo: Sanjay Seth via YouTube

Tamir Rice  - Twelve-year old Tamir Rice was fatally shot down by a rookie police officer, Timothy Loehmann, in Cleveland, Ohio. Although Rice was carrying a BB gun, his toy was mistaken for a semiautomatic handgun. After his death, protests erupted in the city demanding justice for the young child?s death. Since the incident, Loehmann and his partner, Officer Frank Garmback, have been placed on administrative leave.(Photo: REUTERS/Cleveland Police Department/Handout via Reuters)

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Tamir Rice  - Twelve-year old Tamir Rice was fatally shot down by a rookie police officer, Timothy Loehmann, in Cleveland, Ohio. Although Rice was carrying a BB gun, his toy was mistaken for a semiautomatic handgun. After his death, protests erupted in the city demanding justice for the young child’s death. Since the incident, Loehmann and his partner, Officer Frank Garmback, have been placed on administrative leave.(Photo: REUTERS/Cleveland Police Department/Handout via Reuters)

Flloyd Dent  - Pulled over for a traffic violation, Flloyd Dent was punched sixteen times and tased three times by Detroit police officers. Law enforcements claim that a bag of cocaine was found. Dent disputes this accusation arguing that the drugs were planted on him. After reviewing the video, the judge assigned to the case dismissed multiple charges. According to the court, there was no evidence to suggest that Dent attempted to flee, resist, or assault any of the police officers on the scene. (Photo: Inkster Police Department)

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Flloyd Dent  - Pulled over for a traffic violation, Flloyd Dent was punched sixteen times and tased three times by Detroit police officers. Law enforcements claim that a bag of cocaine was found. Dent disputes this accusation arguing that the drugs were planted on him. After reviewing the video, the judge assigned to the case dismissed multiple charges. According to the court, there was no evidence to suggest that Dent attempted to flee, resist, or assault any of the police officers on the scene. (Photo: Inkster Police Department)

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Noel Carter  - Noel Carter, a 30 year old resident of Hollywood, Florida, was repeatedly kicked by an Orlando police officer while sitting on the curb. Although he was unarmed, Carter was also tased. According to police reports, the officers struggled and argued with Carter, who was a suspect of domestic abuse, for 75 to 100 yards. A federal lawsuit was filed in April against the city of Orlando for disregarding the civil rights of criminal suspects.(Photo: Anonymous)

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Noel Carter  - Noel Carter, a 30 year old resident of Hollywood, Florida, was repeatedly kicked by an Orlando police officer while sitting on the curb. Although he was unarmed, Carter was also tased. According to police reports, the officers struggled and argued with Carter, who was a suspect of domestic abuse, for 75 to 100 yards. A federal lawsuit was filed in April against the city of Orlando for disregarding the civil rights of criminal suspects.(Photo: Anonymous)

Armand Bennett - According to authorities, New Orleans Police Department Officer Lisa Lewis was conducting a traffic stop when she got into an altercation with Armand Bennett whom she recognized from a previous incident. The 26-year-old man was shot in the forehead by Lewis, reportedly suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries. NOPD faced public backlash that week for failing to notify the public about the shooting for two days. Later reports also revealed that the officer had turned off her body camera right before the incident.(Photo: Courtesy of Bennett Family)

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Armand Bennett - According to authorities, New Orleans Police Department Officer Lisa Lewis was conducting a traffic stop when she got into an altercation with Armand Bennett whom she recognized from a previous incident. The 26-year-old man was shot in the forehead by Lewis, reportedly suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries. NOPD faced public backlash that week for failing to notify the public about the shooting for two days. Later reports also revealed that the officer had turned off her body camera right before the incident.(Photo: Courtesy of Bennett Family)

Dante Parker - On Aug. 12, 36-year-old Dante Parker of Victorville, California was shocked with a Taser “multiple times” by a local cop who was trying to apprehend him on suspicions of house burglary. Once handcuffed and placed in the patrol unit, Parker began sweating and breathing heavily. He was brought to the hospital where he died. Family and friends say that the father of five would not have committed a crime.(Photo: NBCLA News 4)

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Dante Parker - On Aug. 12, 36-year-old Dante Parker of Victorville, California was shocked with a Taser “multiple times” by a local cop who was trying to apprehend him on suspicions of house burglary. Once handcuffed and placed in the patrol unit, Parker began sweating and breathing heavily. He was brought to the hospital where he died. Family and friends say that the father of five would not have committed a crime.(Photo: NBCLA News 4)

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Ezell Ford - Ezell Ford, a mentally challenged 25-year-old, was shot by two LAPD officers during an "investigative stop" in the Florence neighborhood of South Los Angeles on Aug. 11. Police reportedly say that Ford ignored instruction and tried to grab an officer's gun during a violent struggle, while his family says Ford was fully cooperative when shot.(Photo: KTLA News)

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Michael Brown - A predominantly Black community in a St. Louis suburb erupted with outrage the weekend of Aug. 9 after a police officer fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown inside his patrol car. Cops say that the shooting of the unarmed teenager followed a struggle for the officer’s gun, but elected officials and advocacy groups have called for a full investigation and challenged the tactics of the police.(Photo: BIG'MIKE JR BROWN VIA FACEBOOK)

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John Crawford - On Aug. 5, 22-year-old John Crawford of Fairfield, Ohio was shot and killed by police after holding an air rifle in the toy aisle of a Beevercreek Walmart. Crawford was allegedly talking to LeeCee Johnson the mother of his three children on his cell phone when he was shot down. “And I could hear him just crying and screaming," she said. A couple in the store called 911 on Crawford because they thought he was holding a real rifle with intentions to rob or shoot someone.(Photo: Dayton Daily News)

Denise Stewart - A recent video shows a half naked woman dragged into a hallway and left naked for minutes by the NYPD. The police allegedly responded to a domestic violence call to the Brownsville apartment after the woman supposedly beat her 12-year-old daughter. The woman can be heard saying "oxygen, get my oxygen." (Photo: NY Daily News)

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Denise Stewart - A recent video shows a half naked woman dragged into a hallway and left naked for minutes by the NYPD. The police allegedly responded to a domestic violence call to the Brownsville apartment after the woman supposedly beat her 12-year-old daughter. The woman can be heard saying "oxygen, get my oxygen." (Photo: NY Daily News)

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Eric Garner - A video of Eric Garner’s apprehension and death at the hands of the NYPD took the Internet by storm on July 17. A Staten Island NYPD officer was shown on the video choking Garner until the point of his last breath as he could be heard (on the video) screaming, “I can’t breathe.”(Photo: Family photo via National Action Network/AP Photo)

Rosan Miller - Accused of allegedly illegally grilling in front of her East New York home on July 26, images of a pregnant Rosan Miller being put into a chokehold by an NYPD officer surfaced. Miller’s young daughter watched horrified as her mother was subsequently charged with disorderly conduct.(Photo: Courtesy NY Daily News)

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Rosan Miller - Accused of allegedly illegally grilling in front of her East New York home on July 26, images of a pregnant Rosan Miller being put into a chokehold by an NYPD officer surfaced. Miller’s young daughter watched horrified as her mother was subsequently charged with disorderly conduct.(Photo: Courtesy NY Daily News)

Jahmil-El Cuffee - Another Brooklyn victim, Jahmil-El Cuffee, had a gun drawn on him on July 28 while he was being subdued by two NYPD officers. A video made local news of Cuffee questioning the officers screaming “I didn’t do s--t"   before another officer who was originally on the scene, returned and violently kicked him in the head.(Photo: Courtesy of NY Daily News)

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Jahmil-El Cuffee - Another Brooklyn victim, Jahmil-El Cuffee, had a gun drawn on him on July 28 while he was being subdued by two NYPD officers. A video made local news of Cuffee questioning the officers screaming “I didn’t do s--t"   before another officer who was originally on the scene, returned and violently kicked him in the head.(Photo: Courtesy of NY Daily News)

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Ronald Johns - After being accused of supposedly sneaking through a subway emergency exit, Ronald Johns, 22, was aggressively taken down by NYPD officers in Harlem. On the video, which made its way to YouTube, Johns can be seen resisting arrest as the officers eventually pepper spray him while onlookers shout “stop punching him.”(Photo: Savyfide via Youtube.com)

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Ronald Johns - After being accused of supposedly sneaking through a subway emergency exit, Ronald Johns, 22, was aggressively taken down by NYPD officers in Harlem. On the video, which made its way to YouTube, Johns can be seen resisting arrest as the officers eventually pepper spray him while onlookers shout “stop punching him.”(Photo: Savyfide via Youtube.com)

Kevens Jean Baptiste  - Fellow high school students filmed two cell phone videos of Kevens Jean Baptiste, 13, having his legs kicked out from under him by a South Florida police officer on May 8. In the first video, one officer grabs Kevens by the neck, and the second video shows another coming over and kicking him for what Kevens said was “no apparent reason.”(Photo: Takashia Katsu via YouTube.com)

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Kevens Jean Baptiste  - Fellow high school students filmed two cell phone videos of Kevens Jean Baptiste, 13, having his legs kicked out from under him by a South Florida police officer on May 8. In the first video, one officer grabs Kevens by the neck, and the second video shows another coming over and kicking him for what Kevens said was “no apparent reason.”(Photo: Takashia Katsu via YouTube.com)

Kyle Howell - After he was pulled over in a routine traffic stop, Kyle Howell, 22, was brutally attacked by police in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. The attack was caught on tape by surveillance video and shows officers kicking and punching Howell, who was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. (Photo: CBS New York)

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Kyle Howell - After he was pulled over in a routine traffic stop, Kyle Howell, 22, was brutally attacked by police in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. The attack was caught on tape by surveillance video and shows officers kicking and punching Howell, who was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. (Photo: CBS New York)

John Willet - "Stop, please stop!” John Willet could be heard crying on a video recording of Boston, police on April 24. Willet, who was originally approached by one officer, was eventually jumped by five officers who can be seen hitting him in the head repeatedly.(Photo: Cop Block of WNY via YouTube.com)

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John Willet - "Stop, please stop!” John Willet could be heard crying on a video recording of Boston, police on April 24. Willet, who was originally approached by one officer, was eventually jumped by five officers who can be seen hitting him in the head repeatedly.(Photo: Cop Block of WNY via YouTube.com)

Jarod Dotson - Jarod Dotson, a 21-year-old college student in Tennessee, was choked until he collapsed to his knees by officer Frank Phillips. In the April video recording of the incident, Dotson didn’t show any signs of resistance, as he was already handcuffed by two other officers on the scene. Phillips was subsequently terminated from the force.(Photo: KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE) 

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Jarod Dotson - Jarod Dotson, a 21-year-old college student in Tennessee, was choked until he collapsed to his knees by officer Frank Phillips. In the April video recording of the incident, Dotson didn’t show any signs of resistance, as he was already handcuffed by two other officers on the scene. Phillips was subsequently terminated from the force.(Photo: KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE) 

Luis Rodriguez - After being restrained and beaten in the head by more than five police officers in February, Luiz Rodriguez died outside of an Oakland, California, movie theater. His wife released cellphone video after the incident, prompting three of the officers to immediately be put on paid leave.(Photo: News 9)

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Luis Rodriguez - After being restrained and beaten in the head by more than five police officers in February, Luiz Rodriguez died outside of an Oakland, California, movie theater. His wife released cellphone video after the incident, prompting three of the officers to immediately be put on paid leave.(Photo: News 9)