Police Brutality and the Use of Force
explanatory Essay
2530 words
There are very few careers with as high demands for an ethical standard as law enforcement. Although there are many careers, which require a dedication to doing the right thing, it is undeniable that there is a tremendous degree of responsibility and expectations placed on the police officer. While most professions allow for careful thought and planning, a police officer is often thrust into a situation with little advanced intelligence about what is occurring. Often an officer is involved in a situation which has the potential to turn violent. Relying on training allows the officer to successfully navigate a variety of situations. After a few years on the job, even the rookie police officer is aware that they live and work in a “fishbowl”. There is remarkably little the officer can be involved in which does not have the potential to be displayed in the media. Quite often media exposure does not account for the few seconds the officer had to determine how to handle the situation. The police officer is under constant scrutiny, more so then any other profession. This could be due to the cynicism of the public as they hope to catch the officer “screwing up” or looking for a strong example and a good leader. A police officer needs to be above reproach both on and off duty. Unfortunately, a small percentage of officers draw a large amount of negative attention to the profession. These “bad apples” bring a negative light to entire police departments and cause long term damage to public trust. A vast majority of police officers make strong ethical decisions every day and are hardworking dedicated professionals who strive to serve the public. Research / Analysis Americans throughout history have be... ... middle of paper ... ...Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/october-2011/focus-on-ethics Johns, E. (n.d.). Police Brutality: A Lifelong Learning Process. Retrieved from http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/content/getdoc/bf52c8f8-b78d-40fd-ad88-c3e425c47b28/johns.aspx Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. (2010). Instructor Guide. Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mcoles/SC_Instructor_Guide_2010_1_318288_7.pdf Paxson, P. (2004). The Rodney King Beating. Media literacy: thinking critically about visual culture (pp. 54-55). Portland, Me.: J. Weston Walch. Police Use of Force in America 2001. (n.d.). International Association of Chiefs of Police. Retrieved from http://www.theiacp.org/Portals/0/pdfs/Publications/2001useofforce.pdf Kwon, J. (2011). Towards a Theoretical Understanding of Police Brutality. Verstehen, IX
In this essay, the author
- Explains that resistance may include psychological intimidation and/or verbal resistance (e.g., blank stare, clenching of fists, tightening of jaw muscles).
- Describes any type of resistance whereby the subject doesn't attempt to defeat the officer's attempted touch and control, but still refuses to comply with verbal and physical attempts of control.
- Describes any action by a subject that attempts to prevent an officer from gaining control of the subject.
- Describes physical actions/assaults against the officer or another person with less than deadly force.
- Explains that force used against an officer or another person may result in great bodily harm or the loss of life.
- Explains identification of authority (i.e., uniformed presence, or identification as a police officer) and verbal direction (for arrest or to control subjects movements).
- Explains that there are few careers with as high demands for an ethical standard as law enforcement, but there is a tremendous degree of responsibility and expectations placed on the police officer.
- Argues that the application of force is ethically neutral and can constitute an abuse of authority.
- Explains the three basic theories that explain why some officers choose to step over the line and become criminals themselves.
- Explains that most modern law enforcement agencies recruit, hire, and train only persons with a strong moral character before they begin their initial police training in the academy.
- Opines that two mindsets can be implemented in all police training programs, such as defensive maneuvers and an extensive background investigation.
- Explains that police officers are put in situations on a daily basis which can test their ability to make sound ethical decisions. it is ultimately up to the individual officer on whether or not they will succumb to corruption.
- Cites paxson, p., and walch, j. weston. police use of force in america 2001.
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In this essay, the author
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1380 wordsRead More - The Problem of Police Brutalityanalytical essayAn officer goes through training and in doing so is also educated on the ethical behaviors and oath of an officer. Our police agencies all take the same oath. This oath can be adjusted as appropriate for nations, countries or governments; this oath is worded as” On my honor, I will never betray my profession, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the laws of my country, my community and the agency I serve” (IACP 2012).
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- Explains the international association of chiefs of police, global leadership in policing, web.
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- Explains that police brutality is becoming more and more common in the media. the southwestern law enforcement institute states ethics is a code of value that guides our choices and actions, determines the purpose and course of our lives.
- Analyzes the factors that determine the public's opinion of police officers, such as community attributes and interfaces.
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that police with special training to counter extreme violence had never been necessary before the late 1960s and early 1970s.
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- Explains that training enhances the ability of police officers to investigate, protect, and serve the community. the state of wisconsin requires that a police officer receive 24 hours of training per year minimum.
- Explains that the sheboygan swat team members need to be concerned with their physical and mental health.
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2295 wordsRead More - The Legacy Of The Police Code Of Ethicalityexplanatory essayPolice misconduct has been in existence since the 1600’s, European Influence on American Policing. Ironically, Police Officers in modern day continue the legacy of the police “culture” (Barry, 1999). A culture of abuse of authority or discretion, code of silence amongst officers, discrimination, and a strong belief that “cops — and firefighters — stick together, in life and death situations” (Wetendorf, 2004). Regardless of the abuse of authority officers conduct, it is a clear sign of poor ethics and morals amongst officers.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that police misconduct has been in existence since the 1600's, european influence on american policing. police officers in modern day continue the legacy of the police "culture."
- Explains that police brutality began in the 1960s, especially during the civil rights movement. blacks were beaten with batons and cattle prods as they attempted to vote at a court house in selma, alabama.
- Opines that every police department in america has experienced some type of misconduct, but not all have experienced a civil rights or police brutality violation. the leaa has developed over 600 training areas in the criminal justice field.
- Explains that police and correctional officer's face difficult decisions every day, while working. it is a stressful situation when deciding to be loyal to the job or to fellow officers.
- Explains the three parts that make up the law enforcement code of ethics: the first part consists of equal protect to the people, the second part requires all officers to follow and adhere to law, ensuring civil liberties not violated under the constitution.
- Explains that some officers choose to live under a "personal code of ethic" instead of practicing professional codes of ethics. they protect each other by remaining silent when unethical events occur.
- Opines that unethical or immoral acts conducted by officers of the law raise a lack of trust and respect for police and correctional departments.
- Explains how effective strategies exist to minimize or end ethical violations within law enforcement or correctional organizations.
- Explains that police misconduct has been in existence since the 1600's, european influence on american policing. police officers in modern day continue the legacy of the police "culture."
- Opines that this example does not have an effective zero policy in place. the policy is only effective if a complaint reaches the ethics commission.
- Opines that a zero tolerance policy is only effective if enforced at all levels of leadership and management.
1124 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Police Brutalityopinion essayThe police handle an essential part in society as its protectors. The law enforcement officers look out for the citizens and try to protect their safety and happiness whenever possible. Throughout the years, however; the society has questioned the use of force, racism and internal corruption as well as other forms of misconduct by officers of the law. Some people claim that many of these problems are misconstrued by the media and blown out of capacity; these officers are simply doing their job. Others argue that these circumstances can be drawn back to poor training and policies. Others maintain that the whole system needs to be changed and that with the rise in crime; officers have become enforcers more than protectors.
In this essay, the author
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- Opines that the department of justice needs eyewitnesses to clarify how the officers killed unarmed civilians.
- Opines that it is possible to bring justice to those victims of police brutality and hopefully one day bring it to an end, but to get rid of it will take decades of dedication.
- Opines that police have a bad image in our society today due in part to excessive use of force. victims should feel able to come to committees and report an abuse because police will never stop overstepping their boundaries.
1102 wordsRead More - Police Brutalityanalytical essayWhen 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.
In this essay, the author
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- Explains that dubose, previously of the tampa bay buccaneers and new york jets, was shot by two white san diego police officers while investigating a burglary.
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- Opines that police misconduct has declined due to new guidelines, procedures, and civilian groups who "police" the police.
- Amnesty international reviewed 15 cases of deaths in police custody between 1988 and 1995, most of which took place on the streets.
- Cites perry, tony, troutt, david d., "unreasonable and the black profile.
- Cites martin, christine, peter b. bensinger, and thomas f. baker. illinois municipal officers' perceptions of police ethics. chicago, illinois: illinois criminal justice information authority.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.
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- Opines that amnesty international's usa: rights for all report confirms that the overwhelming majority of victims of law enforcement abuses are members of racial and ethnic minorities.
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- Opines that ai's report condemns "endemic physical and sexual violence against prisoners" and calls for abolition of the death penalty.
- Cites reports from human rights groups documenting long-standing brutality by law enforcement agents toward people of latin american origin in states with large immigrant populations
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In this essay, the author
- Argues that correcting police misconduct and police officers using professional discretion and crossing ethical boundaries is a colossal challenge that every police department in america has at one time taken on.
- Explains that police officers are untruthful, manipulative, coercive, and dishonest. they are encouraged and rewarded for their practices.
- Explains that police officers make decisions that impact a person's personal liberties. they are expected to properly look at situations and use their judgment based on training and experience.
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In this essay, the author
- Recommends that police officers be trained to use a critical decision-making model — it's best to make the best decision in seconds.
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that law enforcement officers are seen as authority figures. people treat them differently, even when they are not working.
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- Explains that the quasi-military nature of police work and the functioning within an institution combine for a mental health situation that is quite undesirable and stressful.
- Explains that the rotating shift schedule is very taxing on an officer's life. the changing work schedule also upsets the routine patterns needed in healthy marriage and family development.
- Explains that camaraderie can be a two edged sword. the law enforcement job nurtures teamwork and unity with co-workers, creating an "us and them" view of the world.
- Explains that officers have a different kind of stress in their jobs, called "burst stress." the law enforcement job is reactive, not proactive.
- Explains that law enforcement officers have a job that requires extreme restraint under highly emotional circumstances. the emotional constraint of the role takes tremendous mental energy, much more energy than expressing true emotions.
- Explains that the law enforcement officer works in a fact-based world with everything compared to written law. in the real world, clear rights and wrongs are not as likely.
- Analyzes how the "at work" world of the officer is negative. he sees the bad part of society - the criminal, the abuser of rules.
- Explains that even the children of law enforcement officers have a more difficult adjustment.
- Explains that being a police officer has many effects that need to be overcome so as not to affect their personal and family life.
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