The change in policies orient the Richmond Police force into a manner in which they are able to interact with individuals without being overtly and overly aggressive. Richmond officers are oriented to defuse high-tension situations and be reminded that the person they are dealing with are indeed human, a person like anyone else. One of the reasons why Richmond Police officers deal with situations with the least amount of force, is because of the new training regime that was that instated in 2008, according to Mercury News (2014), by Chief Magnus. Chief Magnus instated a very rigorous and diverse training segment based on solely dealing with the use of force at the training facilities and the streets of Richmond. Every utility a Richmond Officer …show more content…
Chief Magnus’ position on racial bias, which plagues many police departments, caused outrage, for Chief Magnus decided to join in on the recent movement of “Black Lives Matter”, by hold up a protestor’s sign that says, “Black Lives Matter”. Chief Magnus’ statement, by holding a “Black Lives Matter” sign during a demonstration, shocked the community and the nation, but brought the communities’ ideals of justice in line with his own ideals. Though there were some people that frowned up on the actions of Chief Magnus, there were many people that agreed with his decision to join the protest, as well as many people were promoting Chief Magnus’ courage to speak out. The communities outrage of the officer involved shooting that happened almost on the other side of the country, stems from the ideal that police officers have systemically been racially bias against the African American community; the racial bias and excessive force proponent in dealing with African Americans is a crime to the community. In an interview with Chief Magnus, by SF Gate (2014), Chief Magnus said, “It was intended to be a humane statement,” but at the same time, he’s also with the police officers by saying, “I can understand how it is hard for a lot of …show more content…
According to Richmond Confidential (2015), the U.S Attorney General was coming to Richmond to “…highlight the city as a national example of how to repair trust between citizens and the police”. The statistics and feedback from the community prove that the way Richmond is dealing with crime, proves that the method of dealing with crime in Richmond is what the community wants. Despite the justice that some people in the community members feel, as well as the statistics that show that crime has gone down significantly over the last few years, there is still problems with dealing with crime and police officer’s actions. Richmond has a great bond between law enforcement and the community, but there are still some who disagree with the justice served by Richmond’s criminal justice system. While in parts of the country, we can see the massive separation of law enforcement and the communities, to the point where the community doesn’t trust the officers, protests the policies, and have started mass movements. For example, Ferguson is different from Richmond, but we can see that a major distinction between the justices served in Ferguson and Richmond, for in Ferguson community ties are severed and, at this point, the relationship between the
The beating of Rodney King from the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991 and the Los Angeles riots resulting from the verdict of the police officers on April 29 through May 5, 1992 are events that will never be forgotten. They both evolve around one incident, but there are two sides of ethical deviance: the LAPD and the citizens involved in the L.A. riots. The incident on March 3, 1991 is an event, which the public across the nation has never witnessed. If it weren’t for the random videotaping of the beating that night, society would never know what truly happened to Rodney King. What was even more disturbing is the mentality the LAPD displayed to the public and the details of how this mentality of policing led up to this particular incident. This type of ethical deviance is something the public has not seen since the civil rights era. Little did Chief Gates, the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, and the LAPD know what the consequences of their actions would lead to. Moving forward in time to the verdict of those police officers being acquitted of the charges, the public sentiment spiraled into an outrage. The disbelief and shock of the citizens of Los Angeles sparked a mammoth rioting that lasted for six days. The riots led to 53 deaths and the destruction of many building. This is a true but disturbing story uncovering the ethical deviance from the LAPD and the L.A. riots. The two perspectives are from the Rodney King incident are the LAPD and the L.A. riots.
In the interviews Wood (2015) and Balko (2015), medically retired Police Officer and former Marine, Sargent Michael Wood discusses his time on the Baltimore Police Department and the driving factors to police corruption that is drawn from his experience. Sgt. Wood was a police officer for 11 years and for the first four years he was assigned to a majority black neighborhood. His second assignment was in a majority white neighborhood and during this assignment Sgt. Wood formulated an opinion on the police policies that drove corruption among good men and women (Wood, 2015). Although Sgt. Wood identifies many fascinating issues within the Baltimore Police Department, I will focus attention on his insight into the Baltimore police culture and
According to Dr. Carl S. Taylor, the relationship between minority groups and police in the United States has historically been strained. Some cities have a deep and bitter history of bias and prejudice interwoven in their past relationships. The feeling in many communities today is that the system pits law enforcement as an occupying army versus the neighborhood. Dr. Taylor wrote about easing tensions between police and minorities, but stated “If there is any good news in the current situation, it is that the history of this strain has found the 1990’s ripe for change.
This era is where the shift from a centralized task force has gravitated to a decentralized task force, causing some friction from both the community and the officers that serve it. Police are told that they are needed to listen to the concerns for the community; however, law enforcement is still the primary goal. Police forces now have to defend the values for which the forces were built upon. The idea of problem solving has come into question with police discretion towards certain run-ins with the law. Williams and Murphy argue it is due to the lack of sensitivity from minorities and the concern on crime itself than the community. Kelling and Moore contradict Williams and Murphy, with Kelling/Moore suggesting the era is more about listening to concerns of the community and improving the citizen satisfaction. But both the article came to the conclusion of the silent underlying problems that are becoming more of a “quiet riot” with the police and the
Within the past year there has been much contention over police brutality in America, especially against African Americans. Freddie Gray, a young black man from Baltimore, was taken into police custody because he was allegedly seen with an illegal switchblade. While enroute to the police station, Gray reputedly fell into a coma and died. After this incident on April 12th, 2015, the idea that police officers in America specifically persecute those who are black rather than those who are white has grown more and more prevalent. “Black Lives Matter” has become an infamous slogan all over the world as a result of Freddie Gray and other police brutality incidents involving African Americans. Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, illustrates
A free society operates on principles of continuous advancement in the social and economic spheres of the society. A free society would be able to disobey laws that they perceive as backwards and limiting on a people group. This group of people practicing civil disobedience must be able to unite and prepare a plan in order to achieve their goals. In the ideal free society, civil disobedience would only progress the society positively.
Police brutality is a prevalent issue in today’s society due to racial bias authorities use in determining the extent in which force should used, and the reality that cops are not held accountable for shooting unarmed black individuals. The Black Lives Matter Movement has worldwide attention, and one of the most significant acts of public controversy that resulted from the kneeling protests of the U.S. National Anthem initiated by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick’s decision to protest the National Anthem inspired a diverse multitude of professional athletes to follow his example.
When police officer behavior improves there are not many complaints reported because they are doing their job properly. Citizens become more comfortable with officers as they are treated in a proper manner. Studies have shown that “Civilian complaints against those officers also saw a 65 percent decline” (Wing 1). This study has demonstrated a massive drop in complaints. This will ultimately lead officers to gain a better reputation in their communities. “The goal, eventually, is to rebuild the trust between the police and community that has eroded in the last few years”(Martin 1). Citizen’s perceptions of officers will change into acknowledging that officers are there to protect them and are not to be feared of. Police officer reputations will change from being labeled as cruel and authoritarian to trustworthy and honorable. Citizens will gradually build more trust with police officers. Body cameras have demonstrated the ability to bring citizens and officers together to peacefully communicate among each
When one thinks of police misconduct many not too distant stories might go through our heads. Most adults will remember how they felt when they saw the brutal beating of Rodney King on their local news station; or the outrage they experienced when they heard that the evidence in the OJ Simpson trial had been tampered with. But thanks to new guidelines, procedures and even civilian groups who now “police” the police, instances of police misconduct may soon start seeing a decline.
The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked nation wide in 2012 and has become one of the most controversial discussions in today’s society. After the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman was acquitted for his crime. Zimmerman pleaded self defense, however, during the night of the attack, Zimmerman proceeded to follow Trayvon despite the police telling him not to. From thereafter, a clear divide has been created between individuals who supported Zimmerman’s attack, and those who felt that Trayvon’s murder exhibited a deeper deprivation in America’s governmental system, an oppression against black people. Black Lives matter “is a call to action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism
He never truly picked a side on this issue. He understands the frustrations of people within the community who are aware of the policeman’s brutality among African American men. He believes that law enforcement should not abuse their power and attempt to understand why there are people who are outraged at the actions of those in their profession. However, he states that “ whenever those of you who are concerned about the failures of the justice system attack police, you are doing a disservice to the cause” (Berwick). The Black Lives Matter group has a right to speak about unfairness in the criminal justice system, however they should do this through nonviolence. The actions of one person caused others to see members in the Black Lives Matter movement as encouraging and participating in violence rather than protesting
The Black Lives Matter movement has recently created a surge of support, slowly but surely throughout the passing months and years. People around the United States and even the world are tired of the abuse and violence the black community has gone through. One by one, protesters and activists are coming out of the shadows and fighting for more representation and rights for the African-American community along with the injustice toward black people. In particular, over 50,000 protesters marched in New York City seeking for an end to police brutality and racism across america. More importantly, other rallies took place across America as well such as, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Denver. Synead Nichols, a blacks rights
Why do Black Lives Matter as opposed to All Lives Matter? When a person thinks about Black Lives Matter, he or she may visualize African Americans fighting for justice and equality. The movement Black Lives Matter was created to bring awareness to the systematic racism, police brutality and social injustice that African Americans face on a daily basis. In contrast, All Lives Matter downplays the fact that black people are looked down upon in society. All Lives Matter may seem like an innocent title, but it emphasizes that justice for black people is not necessary.
A decade, to many, may not seem like a significant amount of time when looking in retrospect. However, this can proven quite the contrary. When studying the events occurring from the years 2005-2015, there have been a tremendous amount of occurrences that still have an incredible impact on American society today. From the hurricane in Katrina in 2005, to the ongoing war efforts overseas, and to the election of the first black president, this decade has proven itself to earn the title of “eventful”. However, the recent acts of police brutality that have risen into mainstream news outlets lately, along with the Black Lives Matter movement, will have a relatively large impact on the next millennial generation in regards to the way people look
One of the most prominent grassroots movements currently at work in the United States is, undoubtedly, the Black Lives Matter movement. A multifaceted reform movement, it tackles the issue of institutionalized racism against black people in the United States. The movement began as a hashtag on Twitter in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Treyvon Martin case. Zimmerman shot Martin to death, claiming it was in self defense as he felt the young man looked threatening because it was dark and he was wearing a hoodie. He was acquitted of both manslaughter and second degree murder. Activists felt that this case was an extreme example of how little value black lives seem to have to the greater community. How could a young, unarmed black person get shot and killed while the white person who shot him simply gets to walk away? This all started as an anti-racist