Case Study 2: Michael Brown
Q1.
The death of Michael Brown triggered a wave of protests and constitutional violations as the black populations claimed that it was a police brutality. The protesters demanded that the police officer should be the grand jury failed to prosecute arguing that there was a physical altercation between the two and as the Brown was trying to grab the gun, the police officer fired the shots and killed Brown. This is a controversial case that has raised a legal question where the police officer was justified in the Brown's murder (Shoichet, 2014). After resolving this case, there is a need for an additional psychological assessment. There are a series of psychological assessment techniques and the best assessment that apply to the Police officer Darren Wilson is the ‘Fit-For-Duty Assessment' (Normore & Fitch, 2011). This type of psychological assessment is done when the law enforcement agency, police psychologist, co-workers or the police agency finds that the behaviors of the police officer need to be monitored. In the case of Brown, there are various reasons that may have influenced the police officer in committing the murder. For example, he may be undergoing emotional problems and this may negatively impact his work performance (Normore & Fitch, 2011). Thus, the psychological assessment is significant not only in finding the origin of the problem but also in preventing the negative impact of the problem on the work performed. Before conducting the psychological tests, the police should be informed. The psychological test is important in order to evaluate the officer's conduct and decide whether he fits in the position.
Q2.
Deductive and inductive analytic techniques differ in their nature of reality. First, inductive analytic techniques is an analytical process that involves the formulation of hypotheses and drawing a conclusion through observation (Nance, 2008). In other words, the inductive analysis does not focus on causal factors nor the evidence but the analysis relies on generalization. The inductive analysis focuses on things that are in the natural setting and arrives at the conclusion by making a generalization of the theories.
On the other hand, deductive analytical techniques involve the application of a theory and use a logical confirmation before drawing a conclusion. In other words, the law informant agency uses the deductive analysis in predicting criminal outcomes (Nance, 2008). For example, police officers can predict the occurrence of the crime, the location, the offender, time and the type of crime. The deductive analysis focuses on the causal factors and adheres to laws and rules to understand the specifics. In the deductive analysis, a conclusion is made through logic and evidence which are derived from statistical analysis.
Having understood the distinction between the deductive and inductive analytical techniques, I can argue that the police officer made his decision based on the inductive analytic techniques. This is because; at 11:51 a.m., Michael Brown was at the Ferguson Market and Liquor with his friend. In the same store, the video captures Big Mike shoplifting. The police officer receives a call of about a robbery and as he enters in the Quick Trip convenience store to find the shoplifters, he meets Brown and his friend and starts to threaten (Brown, 2014). Dorian Johnson, the Brown's friend narratives that the police officer tells them to get out of the store but responds that they will leave shortly. The police officer grabs Brown and as they confront each other, the police officer shots at him. This is an indication that the police officer used inductive analytical techniques since he observed the nature and collected the result of the crime by using a small group of suspects (Brown, 2014). In other words, he did not examine the crime scene by using photograph s and he failed to search for the evidentiary material and the victim connection.
Q3
I support the theory that police officers should have the following characteristics-agreeableness- police officers should be friendly, considerate and cooperative in order to make the right decision. Empathy- police officers should be empathetic by understanding and valuing other's perspectives and emotions. They should reduce the excessive force by using an empathic communication and sharing the feelings (Mitchell & Casey, 2007). Listening- when the police officers meet the suspects, they should be non- judgmental and should listen to the suspects in order to arrive into a peaceful solution. Listening comprehension will also allow the officer to gather information and build trust. Police officers should understand the crime scene, the offender's characteristics and all factors that may contribute to the occurrence of crime. Sociability- police officers should create a social relationship and a social environment with the suspects. Through sociability, communication will be effective and the officer will be able to monitor the behaviors of the suspects (Mitchell & Casey, 2007). All these referenced qualities are important as they allow the police officers to be competent in their work.
Officer Wilson did not possess any of these characters when he encountered Michael Brown. This is because; he acted unlawfully and unethically since he never socialized, communicated, listened, empathized or created a friendly environment with the suspect.
Q4
The best option that Officer Wilson could have taken to protect himself, the suspect and the public is; Wait for back up before engaging the suspect. This means that the police officer was supposed to take the necessary actions to confirm whether Brown committed a crime. He could cooperate with other crime scene investigators to record the initial observations, conduct an initial walkthrough, take pictures and videos, interview suspects, collect evidence such as latent print evidence, firearm evidence and more (Fish et al, 2013). This method could have provided the evidence and saved the life of Brown.
References
Normore, A. H., & Fitch, B. D. (2011). Leadership in Education, Corrections and Law Enforcement: A
Commitment to Ethics, Equity and Excellence. Bradford: Emerald Group Pub.
Nance W. Malcolm. (2008). Terrorist Recognition Handbook: A Practitioner's Manual for Predicting and
Identifying Terrorist Activities, Second Edition. CRC Press
Mitchell, M., & Casey, J. (2007). Police leadership and management. Annandale, NSW: Federation Press.
Fish T. Jacqueline, Miller S. Larry, Braswell C. Michael., & Wallace W. Edward. (2013). Crime Scene
Investigation. Routledge, 2013
Brown Emily. (2014). Timeline: Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Mo. USA TODAY. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/michael-brown-ferguson-missouri-timeline/14051827/
Shoichet E. Catherine. (2014). Micahel Brown Shooting: Legal question loom. CNN. Retrieved from: https://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/26/us/michael-brown-shooting-legal-questions/
