Murder is murder, even if its done by the hands of a police officer. Officers have been given guns to protect the country not to terrify every individual in it. On the news, there is always a new story talking about the death of a person that has happened by the hands of a police officer. There are many factors that lead to the police murdering innocent people. Some factors that influence these actions are that they are not well trained or that they have never experienced high-pressure situations so they shoot the other person to save themselves. They should not even have a firearm in the first place as it requires more than just training. Although death is a very natural thing, murder is not. Innocent people must suffer the consequences of …show more content…
This is something that could potentially save the lives of many innocent people as the police would have to use these weapons instead of firearms. “A group of researchers led by Geoffrey P. Alpert, professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, recently completed an NIJ-funded study of injuries to officers and civilians during use-of-force events. Injury rates to civilians ranged from 17 to 64 percent (depending on the agency reporting) in use-of-force events, while injury rates to officers ranged from 10 to 20 percent. Most injuries involved minor bruises, strains and abrasions. Major injuries included dog bites, punctures, broken bones, internal injuries and gunshot wounds (Bulman, P. 2010, para 2). It clearly states here how more civilians were injured then police officers during a use-of-force incidence. Injury will always be better than murder as all of those people the civilian and the officer could go home or safely to prison. They weren’t killed by a firearm but just injured with less lethal weapons like wooden clubs. Although there is higher chance of just injuries, the police force could train the officers to use defense tactics so they would not sustain any injuries in the process. It’s an easy solve for such a situation as they don’t need to carry firearms when there’s less lethal options that could save lives of many innocent and non-innocent
According to the website killedbypolice.net, they have been keeping track of deaths by police since 2013 and that number is a whopping 2,966 casualties. That is only in three years time, compared to the deaths of terrorism it is still less but this website is only look at three years of deaths. According to an article on cnn.com the deaths of American lives since 2001 by terrorism is at 3,380, while that is high that is information that has been taken over 14 years while the 2,966 deaths by police has only occurred in 3 years time. This shows that we should pay more attention to the policies that are being used by our police departments and officers and make sure the procedures and policies they are going to enforce are better suited than the ones they are using now because things must change and I hope they do for the betterment of everyone in the United
Over the years, our nation has witnessed countless cases of police brutality. It has developed into a controversial topic between communities. For instance, deindustrialization is the removal or reduction of manufacturing capability or activity can lead to more crimes when people are laid off. Police officers are faced with many threatening situations day-to-day gripping them to make split second decisions; either to expect the worst or hope for the best. The police are given the authority to take any citizen away for their action that can ruin their lives. With that kind of power comes great responsibility, which is one main concern with the amount of discretion officers have is when to use lethal force. The use of excessive force might or
In 2006 at his bachelor party, just hours before his wedding, Sean Bell was gunned down outside of a strip club in Jamaica. Officers saw Bell arguing with someone outside and believed he was going to get a gun from his car. They shot and killed Bell and injured his two friends (Palmerl and Prendergast). The officers claimed they heard Bell tell his friend to get his gun. When they drove away, they hit one of the cops with their car. The cops opened fire and shot fifty times (Schoetz). I had to really think about this situation and whether or not I agreed with the police. After much thought, I do agree with the police officers’ decision to shoot because as soon as they think they heard the word “gun” they start to fear for their own lives and have to defend themselves. The cops were later acquitted of their charges
Police are supposed to maintain the law, but how can you differentiate a police officer from a criminal when they themselves are breaking the law and killing innocent people. Police are not just killing people randomly, they are targeting African Americans. African Americans die at the hands of police more than white which proves that U.S. policies are discriminatory. In “Chicago police shot and killed 70 people, most of them black, in five years period ending in 2014” (Peter Katel 2016). Additional African Americans death by police is not just criminal but also innocent and unarmed African Americans. According to the article, African Americans account for only 6 percent of the U.S. population. Africans Americans are a small group, therefore, Africans American death should be small, but statistics have proven otherwise. As noted in the article 40 percent – 37 percent of the 90 unarmed deaths by police are African Americas males. This statistics shows that the deaths of Africans Americans are less than whites but when you compare the population of Africans America against whites in the U.S. it proves that African Americans are dying faster than white. Additional that proves that police are killing African Americans more than
Over the years, this country has witnessed many cases of police brutality. It has become a controversial topic among communities that have seen police brutality take place in front of their homes. Officers are faced with many threatening situations everyday forcing them to make split second decisions and to expect the worst and hope for the best. Police officers are given the power to take any citizens rights away and even their lives. With that kind of power comes responsibility, that’s one major concern with the amount of discretion officers have is when to use force or when to use lethal force. The use of excessive force may or not be a large predicament but should be viewed by both the police and the community.
For example, according to Dara lind “Officer’s aren’t supposed to shoot to kill. They’re supposed to do whatever is necessary to disable the threat”(Lind). Whenever an officer gets caught up in a difficult situation where deadly force is needed for the most part officers do shoot to kill because they feel like there life is in danger themselves. Yes like they said they are supposed to do whatever is necessary so therefore if shooting to kill someone is necessary to them then for police officers it is the right thing to do. But in reality in some occasions deadly force by a cop resulting in someone’s death is not needed and there should be other alternatives to handle difficult problems like that. In addition, “Usually, the point from where the officer believes he has to use deadly force to the point where he uses deadly force -- where he pulls
For many years in the past, police action particularly police abuse, has come to be unclear. Citizens are worried about protecting them from criminals. In fact they need to me aware of the corrupt police officers that are in the streets today as well as the criminals. There are many examples that make police brutality the worst as it is today. This one is one of them. Police Officer Daniel is in the choke hold death of Eric Garner, come in the wake if November 15th by the channel 24 news in Ferguson Missouri, police officer would walk free after killing 10 year old Michael Brown. (www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32740523) In the present police brutality does exist in the mist of us in the time and age we live in everyday. We just haven’t seen it yet. There are people that think if a police
Logically would a police officer have shot to kill simply to commit murder in broad daylight with witnesses? Without all of these questions being answered with facts and being quick to judge is not only ridiculous, but it leads to more issues such as rioting and looting. It will also lead to more shootings. More innocent people will continue to be hurt. Either physically or by the loss of their business and cars, etc.
The death penalty. It is a punishment handed down for the most heinous of crimes. The words themselves evoke many, many passionate emotions. The arguments, both for and against, are endless and it seems most of them have merit. In the end, it is ourselves who have to decide what we believe in.
While one person lays with their wrists circumscribed to the worn leather of the gurney, another person holds two skin-piercing needles. The individual holding the needles is an inexperienced technician who obtains permission from the United States federal government to murder people. One needle is held as a precaution in case the pain is too visible to the viewers. Another dagger filled with a lethal dosage of chemicals is inserted into the vein that causes the person to stop breathing. When the cry of the heart rate monitor becomes monotone, the corrupt procedure is complete. Lying in the chair is a corpse when moments ago it was an individual who made one fatal mistake that will never get the chance to redeem (Ecenbarger). Although some people believe that the death
Throughout the years the death penalty has been a very controversial aspect when it comes to punishment. Some groups of people believe that is should be abolished and other think that America should keep it. I’m here to say that I am not for the death penalty at all. To me the death penalty has a couple of flaws that I have an issue looking past. The death penalty is very unconstitutional for anyone who is put through it and it is very bias on who it chooses for the punishment.
Police brutality is hypocrisy; as the police are meant to protect society from harm, not cause further damage and stress. Police should be trained properly so they do not resort to violence and abuse of power. Many cases of police brutality and not sanctioned and are undertaken by a group of police as a form of "mob mentality". Police are placed on a pedestal of authority and respect by the rest of society. To maintain this image, rules and codes of ethics within the police force should be maintained at all possible times. If police are using brutality to resolve issues, it doesn't set much of an example of dispute resolution between individuals. Over the past decade police abuse remains one of the most serious human rights violation in the United States. Police officers are trusted and expected to respect society as a whole and enforce the law. There is a time a place for aggressive force if needed, apprehending a suspect, however the environment and situation might influence the moment thus resulting in the brutal and barbaric behavior from the cop. The important thing to do is to understand the circumstances when excessive force can be used and times where the use of force has to be abstained. Police officers follow a strict guideline in how to handle encounters from escalating into something much more serious. The use of excessive force, in this case police brutality brings liabilities that cannot be taken lightly with the department and the community. Usually the high crime rates tend to revolve around low-income minority areas and officers tend to assume that minorities living in the areas are guilty. Police brutality that does exist is most likely result of emotional exhaustion.
One of the most repetitive and controversial topics discussed in the criminal justice system, is the death penalty. Capital punishment has been a part of our nation’s history since the creation of our constitution. In fact, as of January 1st, 2016, 2,943 inmates were awaiting their fate on death row (Death Penalty Information Center). Throughout my life, I have always been a strong advocate for the death penalty. During the majority of my undergraduate degree, I was a fierce supporter of capital punishment when discussing the topic in classes. However, throughout many criminal justice courses, I found myself in the minority, regarding the abolishment of the death penalty. While debating this topic, I would always find myself sympathetic to the victims and their families, as one should be, wanting those who were responsible for heinous crimes to
The use of Deadly Force by Police Officers has increased throughout Country, this has cause public outrage as people have demanded that there be changes in the Police Departments throughout the United States. Many citizens do not know that goes on thought the mind of a Police Officer, they are risking their own lives to protect the citizens around them. In order for a Police Officer to use Deadly Force there are many factors that are required in order for the Officer to engage in deadly force.
The answer is no, the duty of a police officer is to serve and protect and killing another person should be the last option unless the officer is in danger which would justify the use of deadly force. Critical thinking can be supported through training. Why is critical thinking important? In today’s world police officers are face with many challenging situations, not only are they outnumbered because of budget cuts but also are face with situations where their actions can cause them death or jail. Recently there have been cases where officers have been recorded acting in very violent ways when faced with difficult situations, for example the case in South Carolina where a police officer was conducting a routine stop but when the individual tried to get away, the officer pulled his weapon and shot him eight times for no apparent reason. Fantz A. & Yan, H. (2015) South Carolina shooting: Officer charged and fired; protesters demand justice. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/us/south-carolina-officer-charged-with-murder/index.html. It is unknown why this officer reacted the way he did, some claim racism but can it be something else? Could it be that the lack of critical