...Allegations of the use of excessive force by U.S. police departments continue to generate headlines more than two decades after the 1992 Los Angeles riots brought the issue to mass public attention and spurred some law enforcement reforms. On Staten Island, N.Y., the July 2014 death of Eric Garner because of the apparent use of a “chokehold” by an officer sparked outrage. A month later in Ferguson, Mo., the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson ignited protests, and a grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson triggered further unrest. In November, Tamir Rice was shot by police in Cleveland, Ohio. He was 12 years old and playing with a toy pistol. On April 4, 2015, Walter L. Scott was shot by a police officer after a routine traffic stop in North Charleston, S.C. The same month, Freddie Gray died while in police custody in Baltimore, setting off widespread unrest. The policeman in the South Carolina case, Michael T. Slager, was charged with murder based on a cellphone video. In Baltimore, the driver of the police van in which Gray died, Caesar Goodson, was charged with second-degree murder, with lesser charges for five other officers. There have been no indictments in the earlier cases. These follow other recent incidents and controversies, including an April 2014 finding by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), following a two-year investigation, that the Albuquerque, N.M., police department “engages in a pattern or practice of use of excessive...
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...Recently, a video was released to the public of a South Carolina police officer using excessive force on a black, female high-school student. Another officer putting his career on the line by using excessive force in an incident that is really minor---a student refusing to put their cellphone away! While reading a book on police brutality and its opposing views, it referenced statements by teenagers and adults who claimed to have despair when around the police. Due to crimes happening around them, people who have had police encounters state they feel police unfairly put them under the category of being associated to crime, even when that is not the case. Teens are arguing that when they encounter police officers, they are being treated unfairly...
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...excessive force by police departments in the United States have continued to generate large media coverage across the nation. After the Rodney King incident in 1991, public outcry regarding the use of excessive force was thrown into public view causing reform in law enforcement. As the years continued, incidents of police brutality have continued to plague the nation. In the state of Ferguson, the fatal shooting of Michael Brown occured at the hands of officer, Darren Wilson, which set off giant unrest and protests within their communities. In addition, Eric Garner, a citizen of New York, was also killed by a local officer through the use of a brutal “chokehold” sparking even more outrage. Countless cases of police brutality...
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...blatant police misconduct and use of excessive force there has been a national outcry for law enforcement accountability, as well as, improved transparency. The possibility that some of these acts have been racially motivated, involved profiling or geographic discrimination have only fueled the problem and further soured police and public relations. The integration of police body cameras by many departments has been employed to repair poor public image and increase transparency, (Koh 2017). However, the use of police body cameras is a singular tool that needs to be utilized alongside other critical changes. These changes are necessary to repair the damage that has been done and keep it from escalating...
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...In the modern police world the ideas of discretion and decision making are crucial. Discretion in police terms refers to the actions taking by an officer or any member of the justice system based on their judgements about what the best action is. Police discretion is crucial as no two situations are the same. Police work is often a grey area balancing between a control and support type of work. In this grey zone is where police work must be done and discretion is vital. As most police activity occurs in private, away from the public's view, there is a lack of immediate help or reference from a supervisor or peers. Meaning that most officers need to be able to form their own actions quickly based on the current situation. Most times an officer will his discretion in either stopping or detaining someone....
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...Misconduct, Corruption and Brutality in the Police Department Danyale Dorsey April 25, 2013 CJA/214 Todd Hill Misconduct, Corruption and Brutality in the Police Department What is this all about? Brutality, Corruption, and Misconduct has become a common occurrence in police departments today. For a better understanding of what these things mean, the book defines police corruption as acts involving the misuse of authority by a police officer in a manner designed to produce personal gain for himself, herself or for others. Misconduct is inappropriate actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties which may lead to injustice and sometimes discrimination. Brutality is the use of excessive force, usually physical, but can be potentially a form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation by a police officer. These types of accusations can be damaging to a police department and its link to the community that it is sworn to protect and serve. Police Corruption and Misconduct Case One: The former Police Chief, his wife, and five other officers from the Romulus, Michigan police department were indicted in a corruption scandal earlier this year. The allegations for the five officers were that there was misconduct going on in the department drug enforcement unit. These former officers of the drug unit were allegedly stealing thousands of dollars as well as drugs with a host of other charges stemming from the use of hookers, drugs while on duty...
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...professional law enforcement officer. The officer works for the Memphis, TN Police Department. You will examine what was learned after a one hour interview of the daily experiences of law enforcement and traffic violations. This essay will provide reflections from a professional interview with a law enforcement officer and will described situations relating to traffic violations. The steps to get approval for an interview or a ride along require authorization and checking my background. They face frustrations and difficulties each day but can do little to prevent it from happening. Many officers would not agree to the interview until getting higher level manager’s approval. The professional interview with the Memphis Police Department Traffic Officer of Motors was not as excited as I expected. I completed a professional interviewed Sgt. Wilkes of the Memphis, TN Police Department Traffic Division. Traffic Division (Memphispolice.org, 2012) is divided into four sections: Motorcycle Squad (Motors), Special Traffic Investigation Squad (STIS), Special Traffic Enforcement Unit (STEU) and Police Service Technicians (PSTs). Sgt. Wilkes currently works as a Traffic Police Officer for Motorcycle Squad. He has always wanted to be in law enforcement, since a little kid he always had a fascination of becoming a police officer. His background is military experience, in which he served for eight years. His military experience is what helped him quality for the police department. He began...
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...Check Point Police Misconduct Response September 13, 2013 I would define police brutality as something that occurs when a police officer acts with excessive force by using the amount of force with regards to a subject that is more than necessary. Excessive force by law enforcement officers is a violation of a person's rights. Excessive force is not subject to a precise definition, but it is generally beyond the force a reasonable and prudent law enforcement officer would use under the circumstances (www.definitions.uslegal.com). I feel that police brutality happens when an officer has the subject under control and then might hit the subject with a black stick. When trying to get a suspect to comply with orders given by an officer, the amount of force should be used in only the minimum amount to gain control of a situation. Police brutality is a direct violation of the laws within the police force. This is a form of police misconduct. The violation of state and federal laws or the violation of individuals' constitutional rights by police officers; also when police commit crimes for personal gain. Police misconduct and corruption are abuses of police authority. Sometimes used interchangeably, the terms refer to a wide range of procedural, criminal, and civil violations. Misconduct is the broadest category. Misconduct is "procedural" when it refers to police who violate police department rules and regulations; "criminal" when it refers to police who violate state and federal...
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...2 Police Brutality Police abuse continues to be one of the most serious and harsh human rights violations in minority communities. However, it is particularly interesting that such violence and viciousness by police officials has managed to go unnoticed within the justice system and overlooked for so long. Police officers have too much control and power and they sometimes abuse their authority. The excessive use of force used by police officers continues because of barriers of immunity which make it possible for officers who commit such brutal acts to escape punishment and often to repeat their offenses. Police brutality is a serious problem and if this barbarity by police officers is allowed to continue, the citizens in these communities will not only need protection from criminals, but the police that are recruited to protect and serve our communities. In recent months, citizens in urban communities worry about protecting themselves from criminals and now have to keep an attentive focus on those who are there to protect and serve. Police brutality not only affects the officer involved, the victim of the beating and those who witness the incident, but the minority community as a whole. It changes the way communities and the individual citizens view police officers and the authority they uphold. Often these citizens are unsure of the rights they have against such cruel acts of violence which forces them to endure excessive force and the thin line that police officers cross...
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...Socialization & Police Culture 2- Shedding Light on Police Culture: An Examination of Officers' Occupational Attitudes • Police culture research posits that officers collectively hold positive attitudes toward aggressive stops of cars and checking out people as well as favorable attitudes toward selective enforcement of laws • Typology studies of police contrast the notion that all officers see the world through the same lens and suggest that officers might cope with the strains of their occupation differently • Changes in the demographics of police personnel (i.e., more females, racial minorities, and college-educated officers) as well as changes in policing philosophies (i.e., community policing) over the past...
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...OFF-DUTY CONDUCT OF POLICE OFFICERS Off-Duty Conduct of Police Officers Dan Henderson Abstract Police officers are held to a higher standard and pledge to follow the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics both on and off-duty. Some officers knowingly violate laws expecting preferential treatment if caught. This creates a double standard and fosters a lack of trust and respect by the general public. Police departments must hold officers accountable for off-duty incidents to maintain public trust and department integrity. Officers must hold each other accountable and not accept unethical or illegal behavior of any kind from a peer. Off-Duty Behavior of Police Officers Introduction Police officers in the United States are tasked with protecting the public from all enemies foreign and domestic. A police officer’s duties range from basic documentation of crimes that have occurred, to the active engagement, and battling of criminals to protect the citizens they serve. Police officers learn the Police Officer’s Code of Ethics while training in the police academy. They are expected to conduct themselves, both on duty and off with the Police Officer’s Code of Ethics in mind. Public expectation of fair and equal treatment The public that police officers serve have an expectation of fair and equal treatment. The Constitution of the United States (Bill of Rights) provides guarantees to all people in the United States of America. Article the sixth (Amendment IV)...
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...handkerchief was illegally seized which subsequently led him to being charged with murder. A”STATEMENT CONCERING ORAL ARGUMENT” Appellant request that there no oral arguments because the issues presented in this case are not complex and the court will not benefit from the ability to question counsel. A”STATEMENT OF THE CASE” On November 16, 2010, a search warrant was served to have the premises at24870 Lake View Place Apartment 17, Centerville, searched. This apartment was suspected to be occupied by the defendant. The search warrant allowed law enforcement officers to search the premises for cocaine and cocaine paraphernalia, which included but not limited to: sugar, milk, balloons, condoms, measuring devices, miniature spoons, short straws, money, computer, vehicle, storages, and buyer list. It also allowed officers to verify that the residence was fact occupied by the defendant. During the search of the residence officers found photographs on...
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...Police brutality is widely held to have become a serious problem in recent decades in many countries. It is a subset of unjustified shootings, severe beatings, and abuse. The number of deaths and injuries is getting high from police abuse has directed our attention to the need all reasonable steps to ensure a safe society for people. There are many factors for the occurrence of police brutality. The most common factors are racial profiling, prejudices, and the pressure of work. Government laws try to prevent these factors from endangering the police in the working environment. I believe that police brutality is not only a United States problem, but also a global problem that quickly needs to be resolved. The definition of police brutality is...
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...In the documentary Peace Officer: The Militarized State of American Police, we see the story of former sheriff William Lawrence, who trained the same SWAT unit that ended up killing his innocent son-in-law in 2008. Later down the road, Lawrence relies on his own investigative skills to find out the truth as to why his son’s life was taken so easily, as well as interviewing some other surviving victims of unlawful police attacks along the way. The events mentioned in this documentary that took place can be seen as acts of Police Brutality. Police Brutality can be best defined as “Abuses of authority that amount to serious and divisive human rights violations involving the excessive use of force that may occur in the apprehension or retention of civilians.” (Salem Press Encyclopedia). Police Brutality has been on the rise for quite some time now, causing passionate people to burst out in protest about the unlawful way police officers use their authority. The majority of citizens have never encountered Police Brutality, as well as the...
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...Abuse of Police Authority For years men and women of all nationalities and creed have been victim of harassment and brutality by the people who they pay to protect their neighborhoods and streets. Namely the police departments, the police have a vital role to play because they, more than any other institution, are at the epicenter of the upheavals that erupt in our cities. What they do or fail to do can affect fundamentally the scope of the damage to life, property, and community spirit. Police officers take an oath when they first join their department. This oath is a code of ethics. The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, promulgated in 1893, established the basic responsibility of a police officer: To serve the community; To protect lives; To save the weak from those who would use intimidation; To obey the constitutional guarantees afforded to every citizen; To keep an officer’s private life separate from his official duty (such as personal or political beliefs, prejudices, aspirations, animosities or friendships); To be courageous and show resolve when faced with the possibility of death; The badge symbolizes not only authority, but also acts as an image of public faith; The officer will maintain confidentiality; and The conduct of the officer will always be ethical and consistent with department regulations and the law . These are the expectations of the citizens, and when there abused it lessens the faith of all. The abuse of police authority makes the head lines...
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