Cops who do this should be spending time behind bars — decades of time:

According to the Houston Chronicle:

Eight officers were suspended without pay while Houston Police Department Internal Affairs and the DA’s office investigated the incident. In June, four were charged with misdemeanor official oppression and violating the civil rights of a prisoner.

Police Chief Charles McClelland did the right thing and fired the four indicted officers, along with three others who were involved.

But the video raises an obvious question: Why weren’t misdemeanor assault charges, the most serious possible under existing law, not filed as well against some of the officers? While McClelland said he believes citizens understand that the department took “swift and strong disciplinary action,” those viewing the tape may question whether the action was severe enough and whether state law should be changed to provide for felony assault charges in such situations.

A gang of civilians surrounding a cop and beating him would be put away for a long time. The same should hold true in reverse — but these guys should be given even higher punitive sentences, for wielding the power of the government and abusing it.