Should Police Be Reformed Essay

Why Should the United States Police be Reformed

The killing of George Floyd ignited movements such as Black Lives Matter, the global attention of police, and their power. This inspired people to say police should be defunded/reformed. The topic of defunding/reforming the police, allowed people to realize that there were other victims such as Breanna Taylor and Philando Castile. These movements ignited the idea that some police officers abuse their power and that governments should do something about it. Furthermore, the idea of prejudice began in the times of slavery when there was prejudice against colored people. In ancient times, there was an idea of how based on how a person was born, would determine what their level of power would be in

“States have responded to calls for change. Throughout the past year, at least 30 states and Washington, DC, enacted one or more statewide legislative policing reforms, ensuring greater policy uniformity within each jurisdiction. While the new laws cover a wide range of issues, 25 states and DC addressed at least one of three areas directly related to the circumstances of Floyd’s killing,” (Source 2). Not only Minneapolis was affected by the killing of George Floyd, but it also opened up attention to the idea of police stereotyping a colored person. It essentially allows the world to see that this needs to change, and now states are acting upon it. For instance, states are planning on reforming police departments with the idea of the use of force; the duty for officers to intervene, report, or render medical aid in instances of police misconduct; and policies relating to law enforcement misconduct reporting and decertification. But states also are noting that by reforming the police department, police officers will be safe and that they can still serve a purpose. Even though states are attempting to make a change, a lot of damage has impacted the African community. This is said in (Source 2) stating, “While comprising only 13 percent of the country, Black people face 21 percent of police contact, make up 33 percent of

White police officers that grow up in a traditionalized household are commonly the ones that abuse this authority. Police officers in some states tend to think they are “empowered” because they are police officers representing their county or state. This develops the persona that police officers think they can do whatever they want and ultimately abuse their power. Police officers tend to abuse their power through racial stereotyping and using excessive force on people they think are suspicious. Yes, a police officer has the right to judge someone if they look suspicious or not, but it doesn’t mean police officers have the right to abuse that power and ultimately use excessive force or stereotype that person that is looking suspicious. “For Humphrey, “the quality of law enforcement is as good or bad as [the mayor] decides,” he would write in his memoir. Shortly after taking office, he appointed Ed Ryan, known for his hostility to MPD corruption, as chief of police,” (Source 3). This quote emphasizes the idea that some states have corrupt police chiefs whom they would abuse authority, appointing those that favor the police chief. Furthermore, states are attempting to appoint police chiefs that are trustworthy, and caring for their state. Mayors have decided to take action against corrupt police chiefs, who abuse their authority. Another example is the idea of inadequate