Excessive Use of Force by Law Enforcement The use of excessive force by law enforcement has been a topic of heated debate and controversy in the United States for decades. It is a complex issue with various factors contributing to it, including systemic racism, police training, accountability, and the lack of adequate laws and policies. The use of excessive force by law enforcement has disproportionately affected people of color, particularly Black Americans, and has led to countless deaths and injuries. Systemic racism is one of the primary factors contributing to disputes surrounding excessive use of force by law enforcement. The roots of systemic racism in law enforcement go back to the founding of the United States when slavery was legal …show more content…
Over the past few decades, police departments across the country have received significant amounts of military-grade equipment, including weapons, vehicles, and surveillance technology. This has led to a culture in which police officers are trained to view themselves as soldiers at war with their own communities. This mindset can contribute to a more aggressive and confrontational approach to policing, which can increase the likelihood of the use of excessive force. Additionally, the use of military equipment can also contribute to a sense of fear and intimidation among community members, which can further erode trust in law …show more content…
This issue has had a disproportionate impact on people of color, particularly Black Americans, and has eroded trust in law enforcement agencies. Urgent action is necessary to address this issue and to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This will require a multi-pronged approach that includes reforming police training, implementing accountability measures, and enacting new laws and policies. addressing the issue of excessive use of force by law enforcement requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, policymakers, community members, and mental health professionals. By implementing reforms to police training, increasing accountability measures, enacting new laws and policies, promoting diversity within law enforcement, and prioritizing community-based solutions, we can work towards a future in which police violence is no longer a pervasive issue in our society. Ultimately, this will require a sustained commitment to reform and a willingness to confront the systemic issues that underlie police violence in our
Police Brutality is an ongoing problem and existent concern in the United States and should be resolved immediately. Law enforcement must function as an element that consists of organized and civilized officers. The presence of police brutality is becoming more of an issue as society grows. The problem posed by the illegal exercise of police power is an ongoing reality for individuals of a disfavored race, class, or sexual orientation. Police brutality must be stopped so that police do not forget who they are serving not themselves, but the public.
The police have a dreadful reputation, especially among minorities, yet officers are doing little to improve public relations. The solution to problem of police brutality must begin with the officers themselves. Law enforcement must make an effort to show that they trying to protect the community
The legacy of slavery has contributed to a culture of systemic racism within law enforcement that still exists to this day. Despite many attempts to resolve this issue, police brutality remains an ongoing concern in the United States, with recalls to address its main reason. This essay will discuss what is happening between police officers and African Americans, why it’s happening and some of its main reasoning and what could be done to reduce police brutality. Systemic racism is a main contributing factor to the
Police brutality has been a controversial and divisive issue in the United States for decades, sparking intense debate and calls for reform. Police brutality is “the use of excessive force by police on citizens when such force is unnecessary. Unjust shootings, severe beatings, intimidation, verbal abuse, and psychological as well as physical coercion are some of its most common forms.” From the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to the ongoing protests and activism, the issue of police brutality has dominated headlines and sparked widespread outrage. The urgency of these issues demands that we take a closer look at the root causes of police brutality and seek for possible solutions to bring about meaningful change.
Policing in the US has been a controversial issue in the nation for as long as it has existed. Across the country, countless protests have recently occurred on behalf of the citizens, broadcasting their worries about law enforcement. There have been numerous attempts at reforms throughout the years. Some of these made a reasonable impact, but in most cases they didn't. Despite these well-meaning endeavors, the United States’ police force still has yet to change for the sake of its citizens, both minorities and majorities.
Background Police brutality refers to the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers against civilians. This is a real problem not limited to any specific geographic or demographic group and rather cuts across all walks of life. This issue raises concerns about the conduct and behavior of our law enforcement officers as well as underlying ethical concerns related to police accountability.
The leaders of these organizations need create a plan that develops and changes the perception and policing habits of their officers. Better policing of communities will leave foster better and lasting relations with residents. For example, take the Portland, Oregon police department plan to address the practice of racial profiling. The 61 page document that lists in detail a way to combat the use of racial profiling. It covers a “Tools for Tolerance” training, Training to develop officers interpersonal relationships and the issue of race.
Thus, over-policing can manifest in community members experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) because they are constantly reminded of the consequences of non-compliance.” American police are known to carry firearms while on duty, they also have broad liberty to determine where and when to use force that could be deadly. Because of this threat that means this threat of over-policing and police brutality can bring additional challenges to mental health, 55 million people have taken mental health days off because of police brutality and how it's affected them in
Police brutality in the United States stems from the undeniable pattern of fear in our country. It comes from a place based on misconceptions about how race, religion, politics or socioeconomic status affects our personhood. Some people think communities rifed with minorities, poor, or disabled people deserve to be punished, and some police departments have it in their minds that they are the last line of defense against them. This way of thinking makes us villainize communities and see them as the cause of the problem. “They have put this problem on themselves,” or “they are the bad ones” are talked about here.
Race plays a major role in the issue of police brutality in today’s society. As stated by a journalist, ‘’the history of African Americans in the United States is segregation and discrimination which continues to shape the modern society’’ (Chama 203). Historically, police have been known to defend and enforce racism and segregation in both the North and the South of the United States. During the Civil Rights Movement protesters were attacked by police with extreme violence such as being beaten with batons and guns, pepper sprayed, and bitten by police dogs.
The police brutality of African Americans has shaped American history from the civil movements of the 20th century to the power movements of today’s society. The injustices of blacks reached a peak in the 1900s as a fight for equality and civil rights fueled deeper. Blacks were free from slavery but still weren’t seen as equals in American culture. The law is intended to protect it citizens but in that time blacks had no favor with the law and police. The same issues of inequality before the law and social acceptance have ignited a the modern day push for rights and fair treatment.
Use of force in today’s American society is one of our biggest issues facing law enforcement. Even in instances when the proper use of force is applied, officers are being scrutinized by the “Monday morning quarterbacks” whom assume situations could have been handled differently. The fact is Police Officers are making split second decisions in order to save the life of a victim, their partner or even
It is also understood that vesting officers with the authority to use reasonable force and protect the public welfare requires a careful balancing of all human interests.” (Paragraph 3) This shows that police value people’s lives, but in certain circumstances, weapons are the safest option. It is law enforcement's job to keep your area safe, and the best way to keep you safe from bad people would be to use violence or weapons. Law enforcement will need to use weapons on occasion especially when they need to protect themselves and do their
Police reform has become an increasingly critical issue in the United States over the last few years, particularly following several high-profile incidents of police brutality and excessive use of force against minorities. The police's use of force is a significant issue in many police departments, leading to serious injuries or death and undermining public trust in the police. Scholars and experts have called for comprehensive police reform measures to address systemic issues in law enforcement agencies and rebuild public trust in the police. One of the key issues in police reform is the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.
Police Brutality is an ongoing problem and existent concern in the United States and should be resolved immediately. Law enforcement must function as an element that consists of organized and civilized officers. The presence of police brutality is becoming more of an issue as society grows. The problem posed by the illegal exercise of police power is an ongoing reality for individuals of a disfavored race, class, or sexual orientation. Police brutality must be stopped so that police do not forget who they are serving – not themselves, but the public.