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Mark Langan's Busting Bad Guys

2012 Words9 Pages

The life of a police officer is a journey with many challenges, dedication, and a sense of purpose for their community. Every day, these men and women put on their uniforms and step into a dangerous environment. This is a career that demands courage, and a commitment to upholding the law while keeping their communities safe. Through intense training, countless hours of service, and a deep sense of responsibility, police officers navigate a complex life, exploring the unique experiences, responsibilities, and impact they have on society. Mark Langan's book, "Busting Bad Guys," is a journey into the life of a police officer, set in the streets of Omaha, Nebraska. Through his unique storytelling, Langan talks about his adventures on the force, …show more content…

The author does a good job at pointing out how police officers are portrayed by the public. Many people, including myself, believe in what the media say and how they explain these stories. But in reality, sometimes these stories are twisted and manipulated to get attention. News writers and journalists do it for attention. In this book we look behind the scenes in a way. Mark is involved in a case with a drug dealer. Him and his crew are then in a dilemma where they chase him down to his house. Then the dealer decides to pull out a gun and shoot at the officers. In response, one of Mark's comrades shoots and kills the suspect. The reality was that the suspect shot first, but the media said the police just shot when they saw him. In response to the media he sees, he says, “Pg. 101”I still find this frustrating, but I doubt the media will ever change how they report officer-involved shootings. It’s their job to create controversy where there necessarily is not any, just to keep the viewers tuning in night after night.” (Langan 101). This is not the only time that Langan explains how he saw these reports. Shortly after his case, he goes to the files and looks for police-involved shootings. He finds evidence that this is not the only case in his recent yeast of these cases. He then explains, Pg. 101 “There have been numerous officer-involved shootings by Omaha police officers since February 14, 2002, and I notice reports being quick to point out “it cant be verified who fired first'' or “witnesses verified that police fired at the suspect only after the suspect fired at them first.” (Langan 101). These quotes had me really thinking about how law enforcement professionals regarding media coverage of officer-involved shootings are treated. It explains the belief that the media often projects these incidents to generate controversy and maintain viewer

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