1991 LA Riots: A Case Study

330 Words2 Pages
The use of excessive force by police officers has been an issue since the riots which occurred in the United States during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. There have been many documented examples of the consequences of police use of force, and especially use of force against racial minorities on community disorder. Probably the most relatively well-known incident is the beating of Rodney King which resulted in the 1991 LA riots.
But the use of lethal force by police has resulted in similar, if not more destructive consequences in other cities. On July 17, 2014 New York City police officers investigated Eric Garner, a 43-year-old African American man who was suspected of selling single cigarettes on the street corner without a tax stamp. Garner