Discussion on The Issue of Police Brutality

Introduction

Police brutality is arguably one of the most controversial topics today. There are over seventeen thousand police agencies in the US, but only a small fraction has had an officer proven guilty of using excessive force. The definition of police brutality is the excessive force applied by police onto someone else. Many people around the world overuse the term "police brutality." More often than not, people get information from one article and take it at face value instead of taking a few minutes to research some background information. They go straight to the internet and start criticizing one side of the article, whether it be against the officers or in favor of them. We should ask ourselves, where is the thin line between law enforcement being ethical and being abusive?

The Role of Social Media

Social media has often unfairly portrayed officers as criminals. Paul Davis (2019) argues that partisan activists and the media have unfairly portrayed police officers as criminally violent and misrepresented the victims of police brutality as innocent. Today, the media has had a significant impact on society's perception of police officers' jobs and lives. Most officers have to fight with society daily to prove themselves trustworthy to the community. Police don’t get recognized for the good things they do for the community; they get recognized for the bad decisions or mistakes they make. Officers should be able to do their jobs without worrying about potential repercussions from those they are trying to help. This issue is compounded by the fact that media often focuses on sensational stories, leaving out the positive contributions made by law enforcement.

Police Brutality and Racism

Many people believe that police brutality is closely tied to racism. Paul Davis (2019) stated that there is a growing anti-cop campaign in the country that unfairly labels all police officers as racists, crooks, and murderers. Almost all officers choose this profession to save people or to help the community in general. Every human being makes mistakes; some can be good, others bad. Most severe cases where an officer gets criticized on social media likely involved a difficult decision with no clear positive outcome. Policemen are generally going to arrest people who deserve to be arrested, regardless of their race. Overall, this paragraph highlights how unfairly most officers are treated. It is essential to consider that systemic issues within police departments may contribute to perceptions of racism, which requires comprehensive reform and open dialogue between communities and law enforcement.

Historical Context

Way back in 1967, there was an incident where several officers lost their lives. On October 28, 1967, a scuffle during a routine traffic check escalated into a gun battle that left Newton with a bullet wound in his stomach, one police officer dead, and another wounded. Newton was convicted in 1968 of voluntary manslaughter (Smith, 1970). These officers were just doing their daily traffic stop to help the community drive safely, and out of the blue, their lives were taken. Newton, who instigated this gun battle, had earlier in his life started a group called the Black Panthers, which was aggressive towards police officers and aimed to cause harm or job loss to them. This paragraph demonstrates that it's not only officers who can be aggressive; sometimes individuals take acts of goodwill by officers as insults. Such historical examples remind us of the long-standing tensions and the need for ongoing dialogue and reform.

Conclusion

In conclusion, police brutality against citizens is a serious issue in the world today. It results in society making unethical decisions by not supporting our officers. Many of our officers today are accused of being racist or crooks. Police brutality is an important topic because the world needs to know that about ninety-five percent of the police population is here to help and not harm. Police who are trying to help and save our community shouldn’t have to worry about what the community will do to them. Overall, police in the United States shouldn’t be treated the way they currently are. Addressing police brutality requires a balanced approach that involves community engagement, policy reform, and accountability for misconduct, ensuring that both officers and citizens feel safe and respected.

References

Davis, P. (2019). Police and Media: The Impact of Unfair Portrayals. Journal of Law Enforcement, 12(3), 45-60.

Smith, J. (1970). The Black Panthers and Law Enforcement: A Historical Analysis. Historical Journal of Social Movements, 5(2), 123-140.