Aggravating Factors that Lead to Excessive Force by Police Officers

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The use of force by police officers is under scrutiny from both individuals and other police officers. Many people wonder how much force law enforcement officers should use, and at what point does the use of force become excessive. The major research question within the studies provided is: What contributes to the use of excessive force? What causes police officers to go to the extreme when using force? Research has examined the use of force used by some police officers when it comes to arresting, obtaining, and securing the streets for public safety. The purpose of this paper is to explore possible factors that may influence police officers to unlawfully practice the use of excessive force and what can be done in order to help reduce the incidents particularly within law enforcement personals and agency policies.

Introduction

Many individuals can agree that being a police officer comes with major responsibilities, which entails maintaining public order, detecting crime, enforcing laws as well as preventing crime. When a police officer goes through their training, they are taught many tactics on how to resolve public issues without any major violence. Police take an oath to protect and serve their community and their police force. Why do some decide to cross the line and abuse that power? When is excessive force justified? According to Excessive force law (2014), excessive force is “a violation of a person's constitutional rights. Excessive force is the use of force greater than that which a reasonable and prudent law enforcement officer would use under the circumstances is generally considered to be excessive.” (Excessive force law, 2014). Police officers are given a sufficient amount of discretion simply due to the nature o...

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Wallentine, K. (2007). How to ensure use of force is "reasonable and necessary" and avoid claims of excessive force. Policeone.com. Retrieved from http://www.policeone.com/legal/articles/1271618-How-to-ensure-use-of-force-is-reasonable-and-necessary-and-avoid-claims-of-excessive-force/http://www.wtamu.edu/webres/File/Academics/College%20of%20Education%20and%20Social%20Sciences/Department%20of%20Political%20Science%20and%20Criminal%20Justice/PBJ/2011/2n2_03Wittie.pdf

Weisburd, D., Greenspan, R., Hamilton, E. E., Bryant, K. A., & Williams, H. (2000). Police attitudes toward abuse of authority: Findings from a national study. National Institute of Justice, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181312.pdf

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