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San Antonio Police Case Study

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The San Antonio Police Department has multiple lawsuits against it. Two of those cases include Richard R. Buchanan and John David Palmer. According to Buchanan v. City of San Antonio, “Richard R. Buchanan was suing the city of San Antonio under the Americans with Disabilities Act” (Buchanan). The Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of the public life. The city of San Antonio repeatedly turned down his application to become a police officer. Buchanan was already a patrolman with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, when he received an injury to his back during a foot chase of a suspect. He claimed that he was fully recovered from his injuries. Buchanan wanted to become a San Antonio …show more content…

Williamson was wearing a bathing suit and carrying a pistol and jumped into the street in front of Palmer’s car. When Palmer tried to get away, Williamson grabbed him through the window, while pointing the pistol at him. When Palmer was driving away, Williamson fired his pistol and hit the left side of the vehicle. A mile late Palmer stopped to inspect his car, when suddenly a truck was blocking his car, it is said that Williamson told the truck driver to follow Palmer. According to Palmer v. city of San Antonio “Palmer was arrested by the city of Converse and was charged with public intoxication and assault with a motor vehicle” (Palmer). Palmer sued the police department saying that the officers were using unnecessary physical force when arresting a person and unauthorized and improper discharge of a firearm. Palmer stated that the alleged actions of the officer reflect the inadequate training on the party of the city, and that the city policy caused the officer to violate his rights. After finding that Palmer failed to specify a policy or custom of the police department which would make the city liable, the district court dismissed the

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