Police Brutality Research Paper

In recent months there have been many incidents of police brutality or police abusing their power in the media. These cases have sparked a national interest in how the police interact with the public and decisions that they make in the course of their jobs. The number of police brutality incidents have been increasing in recent years. I believe that this problems has been going on for some time but with the recent improvements in technology, social networking and mass media, these incidents have become a topic of national conversation. Police brutality by definition, “is the use of excessive and/or unnecessary force by police when dealing with civilians. It is also a force well beyond what would be necessary in order to handle a situation, (thelawdictionary.org).” The use of excessive force does not need to result in the death of a person in order for the incident to be considered police brutality. Simply using more force then necessary when taking down a suspect or putting hand cuffs on too tight can be considered an incident of police

There are times in which police officers violate the law and they are not held accountable for these actions. Police officers have used their power to kill people, rape women and have taken bribes. Many of the officers who have committed these crimes and other crimes have not been punished. Police Officers also agree to hold others accountable for their actions. Many times officers know of fellow officers who are breaking the law but do not say anything because they are trying to be loyal to their brothers in blue. There have been times that they know people are violating the law, such as members of the mob and drug cartels. Yet many of these people are not arrested and charged with the crimes that they have committed. Police Officers have also agreed to uphold the constitution and the rights that people