Am I entitled to sue the Police?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by abstroose, Oct 27, 2008.

  1. #1
    Saturday evening I had been out to a couple of bars with two friends. We had just got some chips and was walking to the other side of the town centre to get a cab home when we saw two men arguing. There was a group of boys standing next to us 'cheering' on the men to fight and one of them charged over and attacked my friend. Suddenly, a female police officer appeared from behind me and before I had a chance to even realise she was there, she sprayed me with pepper spray. I dropped my food and covered my face and my natural reaction was to run, which I did for a few metres and then walked off from the scene. A few minutes later two officers came running round the corner and arrested me on suspicion of Affray.

    I stayed the night in a cell and until 4pm the next day, a total of 16 hours and was then released without charge. A police officer gave a statement claiming she had seen me punching another person. In my interview I gave my statement, and luckily enough the whole thing was caught on CCTV, which supported my statement.

    Am I entitled to sue the police for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and possible assault? You can clearly see on the CCTV footage that I'm standing there holding my chips whilst the fight is happening. How could I be fighting when I'm holding some food! And you even see the officer come from nowhere and spray me before I leave the scene. My face felt like it was on fire half the night and I couldn't see out of my right eye.

    I want some £££ out of them, what do you think?
     
    abstroose, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  2. RightMan

    RightMan Notable Member

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    #2
    Its definitely worth the effort, if the legal system is dependable in your country.

    In India, one will have to just 'FORGIVE AND FORGET'......:confused:

    Regards,

    RightMan
     
    RightMan, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  3. peter_anderson

    peter_anderson Notable Member

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    #3
    peter_anderson, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  4. joyfuldesigns

    joyfuldesigns Peon

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    #4
    Really need to talk to a lawyer about specifics.

    I know my son's friend is suing the police. They were camping on labor day and they came in with a canine to arrest of the people there who had a warrant out. The dog was not under control and it attacked a little pommerian dog and this friend. The attack was so severe (my son caught it on video) on this guy's arm that they thought he would lose his arm. They just let the dog chew and rip on him while they watched, even tho the guy was face down on the ground. This suit is in process tho, so no outcome yet.
     
    joyfuldesigns, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  5. dairyman

    dairyman Notable Member

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    #5
    In many countries, the legal system takes its own long and tortuous course, where the ability of the lawyer is given more importance than the actual truth, imho...
     
    dairyman, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  6. CountryBoy

    CountryBoy Prominent Member

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    #6
    You've got a good case by the sound of it.
    Police aren't allowed to CS people without warning - hell even taking the spray out of the pouch means they have about 10 gazillion forms to complete.
    Assault is a criminal offence, so the CPS (ergo the police themselves) usually deal with prosecutions. However, there are ways around this.
    If the CCTV evidence is as good as you say then you'd probably win, but be prepared for a copper to be watching everytime you fart in the wrong note from then on.
     
    CountryBoy, Oct 27, 2008 IP
    buffalo likes this.
  7. preyank

    preyank Banned

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    #7
    well you must if you ask me. this is pretty rude, nonsense and foolish behavior of those cops.
    they should first clarify things with you. arrest all of the guys there. but dont know why he arrested just you.
     
    preyank, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  8. SEOAnalytic.com

    SEOAnalytic.com Member

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    #8
    Your story is like an american movie...
    But i like your idea:
     
    SEOAnalytic.com, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  9. ms2134

    ms2134 Well-Known Member

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    #9
    It is possible to do so, i really does depend on which country/state , that you are in.

    Everywhere will have many regulations for this sort of thing.

    Just be careful not to upset them , since it may come back round on you.

    ~ Mike
     
    ms2134, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  10. peter_anderson

    peter_anderson Notable Member

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    #10
    He's in the UK, as his profile says :rolleyes:
     
    peter_anderson, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  11. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #11
    I'd go for it. First I'd make a complaint at the cop shop itself. Complain about the silly bitch that sprayed you first though ;)
     
    mikey1090, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  12. proxywhereabouts

    proxywhereabouts Notable Member

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    #12
    Depends on the country, you can sue them with several charges.
    1-- officer misconduct (flase statement)
    2-- unjustify investigation..

    good luck! (suing police means suing the goverment..tough cases)
     
    proxywhereabouts, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  13. Agent_Dweeb

    Agent_Dweeb Peon

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    #13
    I'd slap the woman. Haha, no.

    Yeah, I would have a shot at it, everything is pointing in your direction.
     
    Agent_Dweeb, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  14. rokius

    rokius Active Member

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    #14
    Lol wow. It's worth a shot is all I can say!
     
    rokius, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  15. rw_essen

    rw_essen Active Member

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    #15
    Get a good lawyer and sue them. You have the proff and with an insistent lawyer you can obtain something.
     
    rw_essen, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  16. iCobra

    iCobra Banned

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    #16
    Nope mate, u can do better in india also :)
     
    iCobra, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  17. Firstwebsearch

    Firstwebsearch Peon

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    #17
    You could sue them in America but it sounds like you are from the UK. I don't know the laws there but I would contact a lawyer and don't take any deals.
     
    Firstwebsearch, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  18. welgood

    welgood Active Member

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    #18
    I think you should definitely try. You can't let anyone get away with locking you up for no reason. I would definitely have a go because I a big problem with authority.

    On top of that it seems like you have enough reliable evidence to support your case.
     
    welgood, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  19. theworldwinner

    theworldwinner Well-Known Member

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    #19
    i think we can sue the police if they are doing something wrong with us
     
    theworldwinner, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  20. abstroose

    abstroose Notable Member

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    #20
    Good to see so many supporting replies. I think I stand a good chance of getting something out of them, hopefully anyway.
     
    abstroose, Oct 28, 2008 IP