Water cannons are considered a form of non-lethal weaponry often used by police forces to disperse crowds and deal with civil unrest. However, it’s important to understand that non-lethal doesn’t necessarily mean non-harmful. Water cannons are capable of inflicting serious injuries on innocent people, and many have claimed that this type of weapon should not be used against protestors. However, it continues to be a go-to for police in Hawaii and other states. So can a water cannon really be considered a form of police brutality?If you think you have experienced police brutality in Hawaii, it’s important to get in touch with a qualified, experienced police brutality attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can guide you towards a positive legal outcome, helping you hold negligent police officers accountable. Your attorney can also help you obtain a settlement for your damages, and you can use this settlement to pay for things like medical expenses and missed wages. What is a Water Cannon?A water cannon is a device that is typically mounted on a vehicle designed to fight fires. These cannons are capable of shooting water at extremely high velocities, and they can reach long distances. Although they can be used for firefighting and other industrial applications, police use this device for riot control. This began in Germany during the Third Reich, and since then police forces across the world have been utilizing this weapon to address civil unrest. Can a Water Cannon Cause Injuries?Not only can a water cannon cause severe injuries, but it can also cause death. Fatalities have been recorded in a number of countries, although none in the United States have been reported. There have been recorded instances of water cannons knocking people to the ground and even tearing off their clothes. In one famous case, a German retiree was hit in the face by a water cannon, and he suffered permanent near-blindness as a result. Because of these graphic injuries, many people believe that other forms of non-lethal weaponry, such as rubber bullets, are more suitable for riot control. However, water cannons continue to be used throughout the United States.

Aftermath of a riot; image courtesy of Fajrul_Falah via Pixabay, www.pixabay.com

Can a Water Cannon Be Considered a Form of Police Brutality?A water cannon can certainly be considered a form of police brutality under the right circumstances. If you were demonstrating peacefully and posing no threat to anyone, police have no right to start indiscriminately shooting high-velocity streams of water at you. Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney TodayIf you’ve been searching the Honolulu area for a qualified, experienced police brutality attorney, there are many legal professionals who are ready and waiting to assist you. With their help, you can strive towards justice and make sure officers experience genuine consequences for their misconduct. Water cannons can cause serious injuries, and innocent people should not be targeted. If you’d like to fight for your rights in an effective manner, book your consultation with a qualified attorney today.