The Pros And Cons Of Police Reform

In the United States, law enforcement continues to reform. Criticism is escalating to the belief that “policing [is] not [adapting] to best fulfill its duties to the public (Gale, part of Cengage Group).” Police reform is addressing issues through “gradual and radical methods (Gale, part of Cengage Group).” As a result, police and other law enforcement continue to experience retaliation with Black Lives Matter protests, including “Defunding the Police” and concerns with racial injustices. With notable police brutality, law enforcement is being placed under public scrutiny. However, the rising crime numbers elevate police duties and lower community safety, thereby the nation's, safety. With these new tensions, police are challenged daily with

Police departments experience misconduct, including using excessive force, tampering with evidence, mishandling evidence, coerced confessions, sexual assault, lying on police reports, false imprisonment or arrest, and witness tampering and intimidation. Physical misconduct concerns continue to arise. George Floyd and Rodney King were victims of police brutality. George Floyd was suffocated after using counterfeit money. Rodney King was tased, beaten with a baton, and repeatedly kicked after failing to not immediately pull over during a traffic stop for speeding. Eric Garner died from the use of excessive force by a police officer, after being tackled and put in an illegal chokehold for selling illicit cigarettes. There are officers guilty of unjustified force, engagement in dangerous pursuits, and failure to justify pat-downs. Moreover, officers are using excessive force for subsidiary

Arguably, police are not to take full blame for certain situations. Without the misbehavior of citizens, police would not need harsh force. If people followed the posted speed limit, a patrol officer would not need to conduct a traffic stop. If people did not use counterfeit money, the police would not have been called. If people did not abduct their children, lives would not have been put in danger. Police officers are trained to protect their jurisdiction. Police are trained to protect their jurisdiction, in some cases, the answer is relieving the suspect. While some police abused their power, not all police are deficient. Excessive force should not be used in a municipal situation, only those imposing a threat to society or the acting police officers. St. Louis Police Department, majorly short-staffed, had a major school shooting, “and what did the St. Louis Police Department do? Ran toward the shots, got up to the third floor, killed the shooter, took care of business, rescued all these kids," Branter-Smith said (Conklin). [Insert the millions