Police Brutality Research Paper

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Police brutality remains one of the most serious and divisive human rights violations throughout the United States today. The excessive use of force by police officers persists because of overwhelming barriers of accountability. It is this accountability that makes it possible for officers who commit human rights violations to escape due punishment and time after time repeat their offenses. Often times, police and other public officials greet each new report with denial or find a way to justify their actions. Administration and criminal systems should deter these abuses by holding officers accountable instead, they virtually guarantee them impunity. Investigations find that police brutality is persistent in larger cities, and the systems set…show more content…
Officers tend to get the idea that if one or a few people treat them with disrespect, then other people of that same sex or creed will behave the same. Author, Lichi D’Amelio alludes to this idea in the book, “Who Do You Protect, Who Do You Serve?”. D’Amelio explains that race consistently plays a key role in police brutality in the United States. Law enforcement has exposed minorities to discriminatory treatment and has many times physically abused minorities. “Mistreatment is not always physical but sometimes non-violent harassment and humiliation. Police have been known to detain drivers for driving in certain areas or for driving a specific type of vehicle” (D’Amelio). D’Amelio goes on to explain, that the problem with racial profiling against minorities is that it creates distrust between racial minority communities and the police. In addition, Author Jerome Skolnick discusses the reports that lead to distrust of the police in the following passage. He reports, “Witnesses often tell tales of police officers verbally harassing minorities; detaining African-American and Latino Men who fit certain generalized descriptions; employing the so-called “prone-out” tactic…in minority neighborhoods, even for routine traffic stops; and using excessive force, particularly in African-American and Latino communities. The intensity and frequency of these complaints reveal a serious…show more content…
“Departments should revise and reevaluate its training exercises in order to provide a solution to put an extent on excessive force. It is crucial that new training methods must be provided on situations that usually lead to brutality.” Austin then takes in the after accounts of revisions explaining that officers should be educated on how to correctly operate pepper spray, how to engage in post chase arrest, and how to handle in a non-violent way mentally ill citizens. The effects of the newest police weapon technology, such as pepper spray, should be thoroughly investigated before being available for use by police officers. Austin goes on to explain, that the training should utilize ways to deal with the effects of weapons used by police, including proper medical assistance. It is crucial that trainers are chosen carefully to ensure a more effective training policy. As suggested by William Geller in his book, “Police Leadership in America”, “Trainers must pass a series of tests before they are allowed to train.” Complaints and allegations of any kind of misconduct should be considered when choosing new trainers. As obvious as it may seem, police departments must avoid choosing police officers with a history of violent behavior to serve as trainers. This solution is achievable and will help discourage police abuse. In can also be noted that cost of the revision of training is small

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