One of the biggest problems with society today is the actions of those charged with protecting us. More and more we hear about police abusing their power, and when it happens the punishment never seems to fit the crime.

Five Birmingham police officers have been fired for a January 2008 beating of an already-unconscious suspect with fists, feet and a billy club, a battering caught on videotape until a police officer turned off the patrol car camera, city and police officials said today.  

Authorities believe the video, [see the full chase here] taken after a high-speed chase by several area law enforcement agencies ended when the fleeing suspect’s van flipped, has been seen by numerous Birmingham officers and up to a half dozen supervisors over the past year. But top city and police officials weren’t made aware of the taped beating until they were contacted by the district attorney’s office two months ago.

Here is the video the prompted the action:

And the result:

Sure this guy was fleeing and breaking the law, but the actions of the officers is also criminal, so why aren’t they charged? The video appears to be prime evidence of felonious assault, and the officers should be charged with such. Not charging them will only help foster more of the cases. Its time for police to be held accountable to the same law they are charged to enforce. When they break that law they shouldn’t receive special treatment. Instead they should face the same sentences anyone else would. Hopefully that will happen in the future.