Examining The Various Viewpoints Regarding Police Brutality

Introduction:

Police brutality has been a pervasive issue in society, and it is crucial to examine the various viewpoints to understand the issue thoroughly. Dissoi logoi approach allows us to explore different perspectives in depth, leading us to develop a nuanced understanding of the issue. This essay presents a dissoi logoi argumentation to explore the various viewpoints regarding police brutality.

Background Information on Police Brutality:

Police brutality can be defined as the unwarranted use of excessive force by the police against citizens. It is a pervasive issue and affects individuals from all demographics. Moreover, it is prevalent worldwide, and the United States is not an exception. Several notable cases have highlighted the issue of police brutality, such as the Rodney King beating and the death of George Floyd. The impact of police brutality on communities can be severe, and it can deteriorate the trust between police and citizens. Public perception of law enforcement can also be negatively affected by instances of police brutality.

Argument 1: Police Brutality as a Necessary Evil

Some argue that police brutality is a necessary evil to achieve social order and maintain law and order. This viewpoint believes that police need to use force sometimes to control unruly individuals and protect themselves. However, this argument is contentious as excessive use of force can be harmful and lead to avoidable deaths and injuries. Furthermore, this argument fails to consider the extent of force being used and how it is deployed.

Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that excessive use of force was more likely in police departments with less educated officers and inadequate training regimes. Using police brutality as a necessary evil can be a way for law enforcement agencies to justify excessive force without facing accountability.

Argument 2: Police Brutality as Systemic Oppression

Others believe that police brutality is a result of systemic oppression and structural racism embedded within law enforcement agencies. This argument highlights that police brutality disproportionately affects communities of color and marginalized groups. These groups are grouped and disproportionately impacted by harsh policing tactics and often face brutal police force. For instance, African Americans are far more likely to be stopped, searched, and beaten by the police than their white counterparts.

Research demonstrates that this is not just a matter of bias and prejudice but also results from structural issues like underfunding and inadequate police training in departments in underprivileged areas. The elimination of these issues is essential to reduce police brutality.

Argument 3: Police Brutality as Individual Misconduct

Police brutality can also be examined through the lens of individual misconduct. This argument believes that police officers who engage in excessive force, brutality, and misconduct are merely a few bad apples. This view suggests that the fault lies with individual police officers rather than the whole department or the system. However, this view ignores the broader context within which individual police officers operate.

Individual police officers are part of a broader criminal justice system and must act in accordance with departmental policies and regulations. The climate of intolerance and aggression towards marginalized communities can lead to heightened force and increased tension. Therefore, the problem of police brutality is not just about the behavior of individual police officers but also the policies and culture of the department.

Argument 4: Police Brutality as a Result of Inadequate Police Training

Inadequate police training can also contribute to instances of police brutality. Police training has not kept up with the changing laws and norms of society. The lack of training can inadequately equip police officers to handle issues that arise, escalating situations and resulting in excessive force. Inadequate police training can also lead to the lack of the use of available de-escalation techniques that can prevent violence and force.

Research shows that police officers who receive quality training have lower rates of violence and misconduct. Moreover, police officers face difficult circumstances on the job, and comprehensive training can prepare officers to handle high-stress situations strategically, reducing unnecessary force.

Counterargument: Police Brutality as Rare Occurrences

Others argue that police brutality is a rare occurrence and that the media sensationalizes specific cases that do not represent the broader picture. This viewpoint claims that most police officers are honest and decent, and the ones who exhibit excessive force or brutality do not represent the majority. However, this argument ignores the fatality rates involving police officers, which are higher in the United States than in other developed countries.

Fatal shootings by police officers occur at a much higher rate in the US than in other developed countries. Data compiled by the Washington Post found that, between 2015 and 2021, police officers shot and killed more than 5,000 people in the US. Even more alarming, these incidents disproportionately affect Black Americans. Therefore, the idea of police brutality as a rare occurrence does not hold any relevance in the current scenario.

Conclusion:

This essay demonstrated that using a dissoi logoi approach can give rise to a more nuanced understanding of police brutality's multiple perspectives. The arguments presented highlight that police brutality is a complex issue and, although much work has been done, there is still much work to be done. It is vital to recognize the importance of police reform, accountability, and continued efforts to grapple with the underlying systemic and structural issues impacting law enforcement today.

Works Cited:

1. “Police Brutality.” Statista, Statista, www.statista.com/topics/3051/police-brutality-in-the-us/#:~:text=Police%20brutality%20in%20the%20United,the%20police%20than%20their%20counterparts. Accessed 18 Sept. 2021.
2. Klingele, C. “Police Brutality.” National Bureau of Economic Research, 9 June 2020, www.nber.org/papers/w27493 Accessed 18 Sept. 2021.
3. Gelman, Andrew, et al. "The Data Are In on Police, Killing, and Race." FiveThirtyEight, 5 May 2015, fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-data-are-in-police-disproportionately-kill-black-people-with-imunity/, Accessed 18 Sept. 2021.
4. Grossman, Dave. "The Science of Training: Evidence-Based Practices that Optimize Learning and Law Enforcement Performance." Lexipol, 2019, www.lexipol.com/resources/training-evidence-based-practices/, Accessed 18 Sept. 2021.