Use of force Coverage

Fayetteville City Council votes to defend officers accused of brutality

The city of Fayetteville will provide legal counsel for officers accused of police brutality in a lawsuit related to a 2020 arrest.

Fayetteville to provide lawyers for officers accused of police brutality

The city of Fayetteville will provide legal counsel for officers accused of police brutality in a lawsuit related to a 2020 arrest.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

SBI investigates Warrenton police officer for misconduct, excessive force

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating complaints of improper use of force by Warrenton police officer Mark Oakley.

Warrenton police officer under investigation after complaints of improper use of force

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating complaints of improper use of force by Warrenton police officer Mark Oakley.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Gov. Cooper responds to WRAL story featuring intense Highway Patrol chase, controversial arrest

Gov. Roy Cooper has responded to a controversial stop from a high-speed chase conducted by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL Investigates Exclusive: High speed chase, arrest raise questions about use of force

Following a tip, WRAL investigates obtained dash camera videos from several North Carolina state highway patrol cruisers following a high speed chase and high intensity arrest back in October.

Cullen Browder, WRAL investigative reporter

RPD holds listening sessions to help revise use of force policies

The Raleigh Police Department held its first of six listening sessions for developing a new policy that would change how officers de-escalate tense situations.

Raleigh police changing use of force policies

The Raleigh Police Department is considering a new policy that would change how officers de-escalate tense situations.

Raleigh police creating new policy for de-escalating tense situations

The Raleigh Police Department is considering a new policy that would change how officers de-escalate tense situations.

Lora Lavigne & Leslie Moreno, WRAL reporters

Police use-of-force, discipline database to be kept secret under new law

A provision in the new state budget stipulates that even local officials can't create a public database of "critical incidents."

By Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Veteran police officer weighs in on police's actions in viral video

WRAL News has asked Wake Forest police to explain their use-of-force policy after a video of a recent arrest went viral.

DA: No charges against Micro police officer accused of manhandling 88-year-old veteran

A Johnston County police officer won't face criminal charges in a May incident in which an 88-year-old veteran said the officer tried to yank him through his car window.

NC legislature approves raft of criminal justice reforms

Multiple police reforms and an increase in the age threshold for juvenile prosecution are on the way to the governor.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Dunn police say no excessive force used in confrontation with impatient driver

Cellphone video of a Dunn police officer punching a man who complained about a traffic backup has sparked outrage on social media and concern among some town officials.

Attorney: Dunn police officer 'initiated street fight'

Cellphone video of a Dunn police officer punching a man who complained about a traffic backup has sparked outrage on social media and concern among some town officials.

Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Two recount violence at hands of Harnett deputies

While the suit was led by the family of John David Livingston, who was shot and killed by Deputy Nicholas Kehagias in November 2015, fellow plaintiffs Michael Cardwell and Tyrone Bethune, who now goes by King Knowledge-El, had similar stories of violent encounters with sheriff's deputies.

'That's a gang:' Men recount violent encounters with Harnett deputies that led to lawsuit, $6 million settlement

A day after the insurer for the Harnett County Sheriff's Office settled a lawsuit that alleged a pattern of excessive force by a group of deputies, two men who participated in the suit told their story to WRAL News.

Cullen Browder, WRAL reporter

Only on WRAL: Son of man killed by deputy opens up to WRAL following six-figure settlement

WRAL's Matt Talhelm spoke exclusively with the son of the victim, who says no amount of money can replace the loss of his father.

$6 million settlement in excessive force case against Harnett sheriff's office

The insurer for the Harnett County Sheriff's Office agreed Wednesday to a $6 million settlement with six families who had charged the office with a pattern of excessive use of force, according to Raleigh-based attorney Robert Zaytoun, who represents the plaintiffs.

Rather see a guilty verdict: Son of man killed by Harnett deputy says settlement bittersweet

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office agreed Wednesday to a $6 million settlement with six families who had charged the office with a pattern of excessive use of force, according to Raleigh-based attorney Raleigh-based attorney Robert Zaytoun, who represents the plaintiffs.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Attorney: Harnett County Sheriff's Office insurer will pay $6 million to 6 families to settle excessive force suit

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office agreed Wednesday to a $6 million settlement with six families who had charged the office with a pattern of excessive use of force, according to Raleigh-based attorney Raleigh-based attorney Robert Zaytoun, who represents the plaintiffs.

Cullen Browder, Matt Talhelm and Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporters

Ex-Charlotte chief: News reports mischaracterize actions of Raleigh police chief candidate

As Raleigh officials consider whom to hire as the city's next police chief, a former chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is speaking up for one of his former colleagues after reports that she had no problem with an officer seen in video holding a gun to a man's head.

Former Charlotte police chief backs Raleigh chief candidate's handling of officer who held gun to man's head

As Raleigh officials consider whom to hire as the city's next police chief, a former chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is speaking up for one of his former colleagues after reports that she had no problem with an officer seen in video holding a gun to a man's head.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter

Finalist for Raleigh police chief called officer holding gun to man's head 'reasonable'

One of the three candidates to become Raleigh's next police chief said four years ago that she had no problem with an officer seen in video holding a gun to a man's head.

Raleigh police chief candidate defended officer who threatened to kill unarmed man

One of the three candidates to become Raleigh's next police chief said four years ago that she had no problem with an officer seen in video holding a gun to a man's head.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter