Michael Brown: Case Study

The topic that I chose to research is the “use of force” by the police specifically in the case of Michael Brown.

The shooting of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, a northern suburb of St. Louis. Brown, an 18-year-old black male, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer. The disputed circumstances of the shooting of the unarmed 18-year-old sparked existing tensions in the predominantly black city, where protests and civil unrest erupted. The events received considerable attention in the U.S. and elsewhere, attracted protesters from outside the region, and generated a vigorous debate about the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans as well as created a national dialogue about police use of force doctrine in Missouri and nationwide. (Wikipedia-The Free Encyclopedia, 2015)

The issue is problematic. By definition the use of force involves the use of physical restraint – usually by a member of a law enforcement agency – to

The purpose of such doctrines is to balance the needs of security with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects. Injuries to civilians tend to focus attention on self-defense as a justification and, in the event of death, the notion of justifiable homicide. In Michael Brown’s case, the police officer – Darren Wilson, asserted that his actions was that of “self-defense.” This was despite the fact that Michael Brown turned toward the police officer with his hands up as if to surrender himself to the officer. The officer kept firing upon Michael Brown as witnessed by numerous individuals stating that he continued to “fear for his life.” I recommend annual training for police officers to review “use of force,” much like the public sector has annual training to review discrimination