Is Police Brutality on the Rise?
Police brutality has long been an issue in California and other parts of the country. The city of Los Angeles has been widely known for some of the most infamous cases of police brutality, including the Rodney King beating in 1991 to the 2020 killing of 18-year-old Andres Guardado. As it stands, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has found itself at the center of multiple incidents of police brutality, including excessive and deadly force.
Recent incidents involving police shootings and other brutalities happening in California and throughout the country are showing that an abuse of power may be on the rise from police officers sworn to protect other residents. Keep reading to learn more about the most recent police brutality cases to rock the county and country, along with observations from expert police brutality attorneys in California.
Connect today with BD&J police brutality attorneys in California who protect injured clients and their families in the face of injustice and abuse of power.
Recent Incidents Involving Police-Shootings and Excessive Force
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, there have been 20 fatal and nonfatal officer-involved shootings in 2026 so far, of which 12 were fatal. However, this doesn’t take into account the rest of the country, where other police departments have also recently been caught up in controversies surrounding officer response and use of force on vulnerable citizens.
Police shootings and other use of force on unsuspecting civilians, including minors and animals, have been the topic of heavy media scrutiny. Some of the most recent officer-involved incidents of excessive or deadly force include:
Shooting of Corey Ruiz
One of the most recent events to lead to protests calling for justice and accountability from a police department is the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Corey Ruiz on July 22nd, 2026, by a police officer recently identified as Kiel Baitinger-Peterson in Madison, Wisconsin. Police were responding to a call about a man checking parked cars and locked bicycles in an attempted robbery incident when they confronted Ruiz, and the events further escalated.
Ruiz is said to have had a knife, and the police officers allegedly used a taser on him unsuccessfully. Madison cops don’t wear bodycams, but the shooting events were captured by local bystanders.
Investigations into the shooting are underway, and all police officers who interacted with Ruiz are currently on administrative leave.
Shooting of Kohen Wiley
On June 14th, 2026, the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley by police officers responding to a shoplifting call at a Walmart rocked the town of Senatobia, Mississippi. The innocent toddler was struck while in a moving vehicle that officers allege was driving towards them and led to the initial shooting.
However, one small cell phone clip recorded by a bystander shows the car driving away from the officers but doesn’t show the shooting events. This incident has caused huge waves in the town of Senatobia, bringing to light the disparities between the role of police officers and how the authorities treat Senatobia’s Black citizens.
As of the time of this writing, the officers involved in the shooting were placed on leave, and an investigation into the shooting is underway.
Shooting of Family Dog, Jameson
One of the most recent and controversial shooting cases involving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stems from the shooting of a family’s dog, a Bernedoodle named Jameson, on June 13th, 2026. This shooting happened when officers were responding to a call alleging that yells could be heard from a residential apartment.
Bodycam footage showed one responding officer being told the dog was not aggressive, but proceeding to shoot the pet 4 times after he approached the officer and barked. The family of the beloved pet is currently going through a civil lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles for undue use of force.
Use of Force in 2025 ICE Protests
While these incidents took place in 2025, civil lawsuits are currently being presented against the city of Los Angeles and its police officers by protestors who took part in protests condemning the presence of ICE agents in the city.
Plaintiffs allege that during a moment of peaceful protests, police officers sent to disperse the crowd used excessive force with less-lethal weapons. This also included shooting less-lethal projectiles at the heads and other vital areas of protestors.
One plaintiff states a projectile hit him in the face while peacefully documenting the protest, causing him facial fractures, a broken nose, and a traumatic brain injury. Another plaintiff was shot in the back of the head with a projectile, resulting in a closed head injury and concussion, along with emotional trauma.
What Are Other Forms of Police Misconduct?
Other forms of police misconduct and force include:
- Excessive force (using force beyond what is reasonably necessary)
- Deadly force (force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury)
- Racial profiling
- False arrests
- Intimidation
- Coercion
The aftermath of police misconduct can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing, but police brutality attorneys in Los Angeles can help fight for you and loved ones.
Aren’t There Laws Against Excessive Force or Deadly Force?
Absolutely, there are laws set in place to protect United States residents (anyone who lives in the country, regardless of legal status) from the use of excessive force and other misconduct. These laws include:
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: Protects the ‘right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures’.
U.S. Code § 1983: Allows anyone who resides in the country to be able to sue government officials for the deprivation or violation of rights.
SB 1421 in California: Also known as the Right to Know Act, SB 1421 gives the public the right to see the records of peace officers involved in shooting incidents, use of deadly force, other forms of police misconduct, or sexual assault against a member of the public.
California Penal Code § 149: Prohibits any public officer (whether a police officer, guard at a jail, etc.) from using their official position to assault or beat another person without lawful necessity.
Remember, you do have rights in the country and state to hold government officials accountable for their role in the use of unreasonable force, unlawful seizures, and false imprisonment. No one is above the law.
How To Consult with a Police Brutality Lawyer on Your Case
If you or a loved one has dealt with a case of police brutality at the hands of peace officers or other authorities, you do have the legal right to hold them accountable for ensuing damages. Consulting with a police brutality lawyer in California can help, and you can do this by:
- Finding the right attorney. – Looking for the right police brutality attorney can include asking friends and family for recommendations, reading client testimonials, and looking into past case results to understand the type of cases a specific law firm typically handles.
- Scheduling a consultation. – Many law firms offer free consultations for potential clients to meet attorneys and get to know the nature of their work, so don’t skip out on booking your free consultation as soon as possible.
- Bringing evidence of your claim. – The consultation is the first opportunity for an attorney to get to know your case, so bring all the available evidence of the incident, including photos and videos of the scene and your injuries, police officer badge numbers, medical documentation of injuries, and the contact information of other witnesses.
- Asking the attorney questions. – Asking the attorney that you’re consulting with questions is key to understanding if this is the right law firm for you. So always ask about the attorney’s past experience with similar cases, advice for your claim, the value of your case, and what you can expect the timeline to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue the Police if My Loved One Died in Police Custody?
Absolutely, if your loved one died due to brutality while in police custody you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the involved agencies. it is vital you submit an initial claim within 6 months of the date of death due to the involvement of a government agency.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
Spouses, legally recognized domestic partners, children of the deceased, and other financially dependent minors, can file a claim. If unavailable, parents, siblings, grandparents, and nieces/nephews of the deceased can file. Consult with a wrongful death attorney in California to learn more.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Case Against the Police?
You have to file a claim with the local state agency within 6 months from the date of the incident. Talking with a police brutality attorney can help you learn more about the timeline for your case.
What is the Value of My Injury Claim?
Every claim is different, so only a lawyer can give you proper value for your case. However, compensation for a police brutality case can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Can I Win My Police Brutality Case?
Police brutality cases are meant to hold agencies and their officers accountable for misconduct after abuse of power. With the necessary evidence and the help of a dedicated legal expert, the chances of a successful case grow significantly.
Does Qualified Immunity Always Stop Police Brutality Cases?
Many people believe that qualified immunity can get in the way of accountability for police officers and other state or country officials, but this is far from the truth. Qualified immunity can be challenged on a basis of rights violations, malicious intent of an officer, or violation of established laws that could be referenced in a previous case.
What Are Common Injuries from Police Brutality Incidents?
Some of the most common injuries from a police brutality incident may include brain injuries, lacerations, broken bones, spine injuries, and organ damage.
Do I Have a Case Even If My Injuries Happened During a Warranted Traffic Stop?
Yes, a warranted traffic stop shouldn’t automatically result in serious injuries. If a police officer used excessive force beyond reasonable means during a traffic stop or other similar incident, you may have a case and should speak to an attorney.
How Can I Prove Psychological Trauma from a Police Brutality Incident?
Proving psychological trauma can include expert witness testimony from a psychologist or other mental health professional, the testimony of friends and family members, and your own account of the brutality and how it has affected your life since.
When Should I Consult with BD&J Police Brutality Attorneys?
You have 6 months to make a formal claim against government agencies, so it’s best to speak with the police brutality attorneys in California from the BD&J team as soon as you’re able. With more than $3 billion* recovered for clients, you can be reassured the BD&J team wastes no time in making your story heard.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with BD&J Attorneys on a Claim?
We work on a strict contingency fee basis, which involves advancing clients their case costs upfront and doesn’t require any payment on their behalf to get their legal claim going. We recover final attorney fees from the compensation amount after a case has been settled.
This means no fees until we win your case*.
Caring Police Brutality Attorneys in California Who Are Determined to Find Justice
Growing public unrest in the aftermath of incidents of excessive force involving police officers sworn to protect may be signaling a new wave of abuse of power in which often vulnerable people are left paying the highest price. While these actions aren’t committed by all members of a department or police force, it may often seem like special protections or immunities can keep officers who brutalize under a cloak of authority away from justice.
Fortunately, working with police brutality attorneys in California can help bring forth justice and compensation for affected individuals and their families. Book your free consultation with BD&J attorneys 24/7 to get started.
Start the fight for justice with an attorney from the BD&J law firm today!