At TDP Solicitors, we are highly experienced in dealing with police misconduct claims. If you have experienced police misconduct, you may wish to take civil action against the police and put forward a compensation claim. If you want help to take action against the police, please contact us at TDP Solicitors at 0151 242 5111.
What are civil actions against the police?
A civil action against the police is another way to describe suing the police. Civil claims are made by people who have experienced police misconduct and wish to seek compensation.
Examples of civil actions against the police include:
- Wrongful arrest
- False imprisonment
- Police assault
If you wish to sue the police, you must instruct a team of skilled specialists, such as TDP Solicitors, to help you with your claim.
Wrongful arrest
Wrongful arrest, also known as unlawful arrest, occurs when an individual is arrested by the police without reasonable grounds to believe or were involved in a crime. If you are arrested, by law the police must always inform you that they are the police, explain that you are under arrest and tell you what crime they are arresting you for. They must also tell you why it is necessary to arrest you and explain that you are detained and may not leave.
If police officer/s fail to follow these rules, it may be a wrongful arrest, and you may be entitled to sue them and claim compensation.
False imprisonment
Similar to wrongful arrest, false imprisonment occurs when an individual is unlawfully arrested and placed in police custody without reasonable grounds to demonstrate why they have been arrested.
With false imprisonment, the plaintiff can claim compensation regardless if they were only kept in custody for a short amount of time. Even if an arrest and detention are initially deemed lawful, detention can later become unlawful. The onus is on the police to demonstrate that every minute of the arrestee’s detention was justifiable.
Police assault
When making an arrest, the police can handcuff you and use reasonable force if the arrestee attempts to escape or is uncooperative. However, you may be subject to police assault if the officer/s used excessive force when arresting or restraining an individual – which also considers the use of batons, tear gas, taser guns, or firearms – then it can become an assault.
If an initial lawful arrest is subsequently found to be unlawful, any restraint on an individual could then technically be considered police assault.
What’s next?
If you want to learn more about taking civil action against the police, please contact us at TDP Solicitors at 0151 242 5111. We can help you seek justice for the wrongdoing committed against you and get you the compensation you deserve.