There are thousands of reports filed each year against officers who use excessive force. Despite strict guidelines officers are supposed to adhere to when using force, they often times injure and even kill people without a legitimate purpose.
The use of excessive force is a criminal act. In fact, it is a type of white collar crime.
Last week, a police officer for the San Marcos Police Department in Texas was jailed for knocking a woman’s teeth out during an illegal arrest he made on May 29.
James Angelo Palermo, 40, was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, while Palermo was conducting a routine traffic stop and noticed a female pedestrian walking by he wanted to know what she was doing and asked for identification. Following that initial incident, he slammed the woman against a car and then into the pavement–resulting in her injuries, which included a concussion.
On May 30, San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams ordered an internal investigation that eventually led to the officer’s arrest and administrative leave, KEYE TV reports.
The Austin American-Statesman describes the encounter:
The use of excessive force is a criminal act. In fact, it is a type of white collar crime.
Last week, a police officer for the San Marcos Police Department in Texas was jailed for knocking a woman’s teeth out during an illegal arrest he made on May 29.
James Angelo Palermo, 40, was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, while Palermo was conducting a routine traffic stop and noticed a female pedestrian walking by he wanted to know what she was doing and asked for identification. Following that initial incident, he slammed the woman against a car and then into the pavement–resulting in her injuries, which included a concussion.
On May 30, San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams ordered an internal investigation that eventually led to the officer’s arrest and administrative leave, KEYE TV reports.
The Austin American-Statesman describes the encounter:
Palermo immediately moved toward her and she stepped back as he approached, the affidavit says. He grabbed her and pushed her against the back of the car he had stopped, then quickly spun his body and slammed her onto the concrete driveway between his patrol car and the stopped car, the affidavit says. He then handcuffed her and put her in his patrol car, saying she was under arrest for obstruction.
