A Recent History of NYPD Brutality

Looking back at the violence of the last few decades.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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As the biggest police force in the country, the New York Police Department employs 51,000 people. That's more than the FBI. The city's law enforcement officers have been the subject of countless films, novels, TV shows, songs—name a medium, and there's a representation of New York cops to be found.  

The NYPD is like a small army—Mayor Bloomberg's army, let him tell it—and over the years, instances of the NYPD going too far in their mission to keep the city safe have been well documented.

By no means do we intend to crucify law enforcement in New York. Being a cop is a difficult job, especially in a city with a population of over eight million. Police officers put their lives on the line every day. But there is another invisible line that they must be aware of at all times—the one between necessary action and brutality. Reminding the public of times when this line has been crossed in the last four decades is necessary.

Written by Julian Kimble (@JRK316)

Clifford Glover

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Randolph Evans

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Michael Stewart

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Eleanor Bumpurs

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Mark Davidson

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The Tompkins Square Park Riot

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David Cotto

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Jose Garcia

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Laakhraj Dalipram

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Anthony Baez

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Nathaniel Levi Gaines

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Abner Louima

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Amadou Diallo

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Gidone Busch

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Patrick Dorismond

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Ousmane Zongo

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Alberta Spruil

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Timothy Stansbury

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2004 Republican National Convention

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Sean Bell

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Rayshawn Moreno

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Michael Mineo

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Officer Jorge Arbaje-Diaz

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"Rape Cops" Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata

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Officer Adrian Schoolcraft

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Jaime Rutkowski

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Nathaniel Carter

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Officers Call Teen a "F*cking Mutt" During Stop-And-Frisk

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The Monumental 5

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Occupy Wall Street

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Luis Solivan

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Jateik Reed

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Ramarley Graham

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Robert Stolarik

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