Liberation News Service

Police Power

1969

NEW YORK (LNS)—New York cops are guilty of a regular pattern of arbitrary arrest, physical abuse and courtroom perjury, according to a two-year study recently completed under the auspices of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The study was conducted by lawyer Paul Chevigny and its findings are published in a new book, Police Power.

One of the most common abuses noted is the arrest of individuals who challenge police authority, even while not committing a crime. If a bystander objects to an arbitrary arrest, the bystander is arrested and falsely charged with disorderly conduct.

And if the dispute results in a cop hitting a bystander, then the citizen is charged with resisting arrest and felonious assault.

FE Editors’ Note: Sounds just like Detroit.


Fifth Estate #73, February 20-March 5, 1969