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Police Use Of Lethal Force Essay

3085 Words13 Pages

Police use of lethal force has been a topic of conversation in the media for years. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about issues related to police brutality, racial profiling, and excessive use of force by law enforcement officials. The way the media presents this topic can have a significant impact on how people perceive law enforcement and their actions. Media coverage can either support or challenge the narrative that police officers are justified in using lethal force. One of the primary functions of the media is to report on incidents involving police shootings or other cases where police officers have used lethal force against civilians. The media’s coverage of these incidents can influence …show more content…

This issue is multifaceted and complex. One-sided arguments have led law enforcement officers to be held accountable for their actions when using deadly force, while other opinions believe that law enforcement officers are doing their best in challenging situations and should not be unfairly criticized (Lee & Vaughn, 2010). One major concern regarding police shootings is the disproportionate impact on people of color. Many people believe that systemic racism leads to police brutality against people of color, particularly Black Americans. Statistics have shown that Black Americans are more likely to be killed by police than any other racial or ethnic group (Lim, 2017, p.306). This stark reality has led to widespread protests across the country demanding justice for victims of police violence. On the other hand, the public claim that officers often use deadly force as a last resort after attempting non-lethal methods first. Additionally, they assert that many incidents involving police shootings are justified and necessary to maintain public …show more content…

How the news media reports on police shootings can shape public insight and influence policy decisions. Unfortunately, many news outlets often present a biased narrative that portrays law enforcement as either heroic or villainous, depending on one's political views. This dichotomy oversimplifies complex issues and does little to promote understanding or constructive dialogue. It is important to remember that police shootings are just one aspect of a larger problem: systemic racism within law enforcement. While not all officers are racist or biased against certain groups, there is evidence that racial disparities exist in the way law enforcement interacts with different communities. Addressing this issue will require both individual-level changes such as implicit bias training as well as systemic changes such as reforming department policies and procedures. Reducing police brutality will require a multifarious approach that addresses issues related to news media narratives, department policies, training, and biases within law enforcement. By working together to address these issues, we can create safer communities where everyone can feel protected by those who are sworn to protect

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As a result, there is a drastic increase of violent outburst between both sides. For the last years, it was reported that 51.5 percent of black were killed by police officers (ibtimes.com). On the other hand, there have been 51,548 assaults against law enforcement and it resulted in 14,453 injuries in 2015 alone (nleomf.org). In the United States, recently, police brutality has been a popular subject all over the news and social media.

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