Is there an impartial government agency that protects citizens from police abuse?
Not really. Drug busts are notoriously and unnecessarily violent in the US. The police do need the element of surprise, but typically they wantonly destroy belongings and damage walls and doors. They are heedless of any minors who may be present and sometimes steal money and other things. Some people reason, “Well, they’re criminals. They deserve it,” but that’s not what our Constitution says. The tragedy is when they get the wrong house–a surprisingly common occurrence. Here’s the current “poster child” story: “The Berwyn Heights mayor’s residence drug raid was a controversial action taken by the Prince George’s County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office and Police Department at the home of Berwyn Heights mayor Cheye Calvo on July 29, 2008… “The event gained national and international media attention. While the Calvos were cleared of wrongdoing, the police were accused by the Calvos and civil rights groups of lacking a proper search warrant, excessive force, and failure to conduct a proper
