As the country is bludgeoned by one video after another capturing police officers assaulting and even killing unarmed civilians—typically black men—we are in the midst of a national debate about proposals to curb police misconduct, ranging from body cameras to grand jury reform. As important and necessary as reforms of police practices and criminal justice processes are, it also is important to consider the options available to civilians who are on the scene and witnessing police action.
Videotape available to anyone with an Internet connection routinely shows encounters in which police officers seize a person for a minor offense but nonetheless resort to excessive—and sometimes deadly—physical force that the person tries to defend against, with the Eric Garner video being the most dramatic example from New York. In many instances, the ensuing fracas leads to bystanders rushing in and surrounding the officers, creating a tense and dangerous situation for everyone. And, of course, civilians routinely pull out smartphones to videotape the struggle.
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