Police Brutality; Cases and Preventive Measures
Author’s Note
This work explores a problem that has become prevalent in the larger criminal justice system. Police brutality is a challenge in the society, and my university is committed to finding measures through which it (police brutality) can be addressed. Even though police offers maintain public order, they pose a great problem to the society by abusing the human rights (Fallacy). If the government and the public will not implement effective measures in curbing police brutality, the vulnerable group especially the poor and minority will never enjoy their human rights (Pathos). Any issues pertaining to this work should be addressed through this correspondent.
Introduction
The role of police officers is to investigate criminal activities but the public is finding measures to stop police officers’ criminal activities such as murder, rape and more (situational irony). Police officers are essential players in a peaceful and a cohesive society. Their contribution to cohesion and calmness among society members is equally significant as saving the society against lawlessness. They (police officer) go to the extent of absorbing any potential violence arising amidst society members. However, they at times experience social objection and unpopularity. This public dislike the police is linked to the most people's feeling that police officers are brutal (fallacy). That leads to stereotyping of police officers as unfriendly and to some extent as law-breakers. Do you know that police brutality violate the U.S obligation on right to life? (Ethos) Police are expected to consider the international law and the ‘American Declaration’ which described the international human rights. This society's opinion is confirmed by various incidences of police brutalities as illustrated throughout this paper.
Historical Background
First, police brutality is any extreme social violence caused by police officers (Stetser 10). It is spread widely and demonstrated in several forms. In some countries, police brutality is prosecuted but in very considered conditions that sees some of the policemen getting away with murder. That motivates police brutality to flourish in the name of ‘a legal right,' or behind the color of law (logos). That leaves every society convinced that every police is an oppressor. Also, this oppression is perceived as being exercised only to the vulnerable groups such as poor, disabled, and the minority (Stetser 16). Rather than feeling secured, people always ask ‘do police offers really do what they are entitled to do? Do they really adhere to ethical standards? (Ethos).
In American society, police brutality was first reported as early as the 1870s (Johnson 1). In most cases, various undue brutalities from the police would be experienced during national strikes. That is where police would walk around with a nightstick in the name of ‘calming situations.' The known cases of strikes against police officers' brutality include, ‘the 1914 Ludlow massacre; Lawrence the 1912 textile strike; and the great railroad strike of 1877 (Johnson 1). In each case, the public would be left convinced that police were not only brutal but also troublesome.
Cases of Police Brutality
The prevailing police brutalities in the modern society are discussed below;
- Excessive use of force
This term represents a more than the necessary force needed to arrest unarmed civilian. According to Owens and Jeffrey (124), police officers are allowed to use just-enough physical force when arresting an individual. Police officers are influenced by social dynamics which compels them to use coercive action against the vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities. In addition, they are influenced by psychological factors such as personality traits which allow them to act different to certain situations (fallacy). Police brutality is a traditional phenomenon which is rooted forms the subculture of policing (fallacy). This means that officers adheres to their traditional norms and apply them in maintaining order (Owens & Jeffrey, 138). Any excessive power, in that case, is a brutality. On the same note, excessive use of power may also include improper use of firearms. That's where a police uses tasers and tear gas to disburse a peaceful demonstration, which is highly discouraged by law. Such use of unnecessary force is unfair as it can easily harm an individual in the course. For instance, baton beatings can easily lead to spinal cord beatings.
- Wrongful imprisonment/ false arrest
This is where an officer takes a person into custody without either an arrest warrant or order from the court (Jefferis, Fredrick, and Dena 85). The United States' federal constitution articulates the conditions under which a person should be lawfully arrested. A person can refuse an arrest if the police officer doesn't seem to follow the set procedures. Besides, one can lawfully dispute his/her arrest if s/he is not taken to court in a reasonable time (fallacy). In some cases, one can file a case in the court of law after realizing that s/he arrested unlawfully (Jefferis, Fredrick & Dena 85). That's because of the severe health effects of such misconducts, such as stress and mental depression.
- Wrong search/seizure
This is where one's property is claimed without a right legal justification (Jefferis, Fredrick & Dena 86). That is, legal agencies or officer fails to present an order from a judge when searching into one's house. A search warrant is necessary to ascertain not only the legitimacy of the searching officer but also the motivation of the exercise. However, the law allows an officer to search without an order if the victim had been earlier convicted of a crime (Jefferis, Fredrick & Dena 86). In case of an individual who had earlier been arrested lawfully, the police don't need either a person or owner's consent when conducting a search.
- Sexual harassment and abuse
This is the worst form of police brutality. It is considered inhuman and punishable by either an officer losing his/her license of some badges. Sexual harassment occurs mostly when a person is placed in custody. It can also be carried along by a female officer, who acts like a sexual predator to male in custody (Jefferis, Fredrick & Dena 86). Prevailing incidences involved in this may include child pornography, consensual, on-duty intercourse, and voyeurism. Sexual harassment is a great problem and this is the high time to implement measures and eliminate this kind of police misconduct (fallacy). An officer practicing any of the above misconduct stands a chance of serving a jail term (Jefferis, Fredrick & Dena 86).
Preventive Measures
A solution to the police brutality embraced in today’s society is resisting unreasonable police conduct that appears as brutality. That may be an act compromises not only one’s physical security but also the right to live (Owens, Katherine & Jeffrey). These acts may involve extrajudicial killings; inhuman treatments; as well as human torture. Also, an unlawful arrest is considered as a police brutality. However, the law encourages conceding unlawful arrest as the due process will finally be sorted in the court of law (fallacy).
A mistake of society related to brutalities is lack of understanding of the reasons behind the seemingly unaccepted police behaviors. A definite cause of the various brutalities happening hasn't been adequately ascertained. That is a social responsibility of the police agencies in collaboration with the society. To address that, there is a need for dialogues between the police and the public (Owens, Katherine & Jeffrey). An open public forum where individuals share from both side (public and police) will help to ascertain the prevailing problem of brutality.
Besides that is the public responsibility for any misconduct of the police officer. Every society member is obliged to report any unfair treatment in the name of ‘keeping the law. A society embracing such a culture will see a reduction in cases of police misconducts as police will fear being held liable of misconducts (Owens, Katherine & Jeffrey). Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this solution is discouraged by people's greed and materialism. Thus, dealing with the spirit of greed will improve individuals’ integrity to report any police brutality.
In conclusion, police brutality is a reality in the contemporary American society. It involves excessive use of force by police officers when dealing with civilians. Any use of excessive power while arresting an individual is taken as a brutality. These brutalities, especially sexual harassment are more with blacks and mostly reported in Negros societies. To note, this report addressed police misconduct prevailing among Americans. The societies targeted in this study include those of black people. Luckily, these cases of police brutalities are rare in Asian communities. Thus, the proposal is not much beneficial as it addresses a problem am not a victim. Unless these problems are addressed, the vulnerable groups will continue to suffer from psychological disorders which will increase suicidal tendencies (fallacy). Thus, the victims should report the case and the perpetrator should be held accountable. The government should create laws and policies which govern the police offences’ conducts.
Works Cited
Jefferis, Eric, Fredrick Butcher, and Dena Hanley. "Measuring perceptions of police use of force." Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 12.1 (2011): 81-96.
Johnson, Marilynn S. Street justice: A history of police violence in New York City. Beacon Press, 2004.
Owens, Katherine, and Jeffrey Pfeifer. "Police leadership and ethics: Training and policy recommendations." Canadian Journal of Police and Security Services 1.2 (2003): 124.
Stetser, Merle. The use of force in police control of violence: Incidents resulting in assaults on officers. New York: LFB Scholarly, 2001.
