Within The Past Few Years, Incidents Involving Many Deaths

The brutality of the police force has been a long worldwide problem, but especially between the years of 2012-2016. Black people are being unjustly beaten and shot in plain sight for doing nothing while being unarmed. Journal of African American Studies “Blacks are viewed as deserving of harsh treatment in the criminal justice system” (482). “Black males with more “Afrocentric” features may receive longer sentences than blacks with less Afrocentric features like lighter skin and straighter hair”(482). Nowadays it is important to know about the police force. It’s important to know our rights as citizens and be careful around cops. Not everybody is good, but not everybody is bad also. In The New York Amsterdam News 21 people were killed by Chicago police in 2008. Entire families were being attacked. They believe it’s because of their skin color and how they are different. The year of racism started off with the world seeing the police murder of Oscar Grant. “The media have pushed people away from hearing the issue of police brutality, and it has fallen off of the radar screen.”(2) “You can’t give in. They will try to make an example out of you, try to break your spirit!”(2) African Americans say do not trust the cops with anything. “They will ruin you.”(2)

From the disturbing beating of Rodney King to the horrific death of Malice Green to the shooting of Michael Brown shows there is a consistent problem with police brutality and the exertion of force used. Police brutality seems to be a rising issue again with the occurrence of the Michael Brown shooting and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement making sure that any form of police brutality should not be swept under the rug. Action has been taken in some cities around the country for dealing with police brutality, such as police reform, which requires the retraining of hundreds of officers. There has also been talk and use of police body cameras that would record interactions between officers and the public to clear up any discrepancies in police/witness reports. To look at the effects and causation of police brutality we will be analyzing the media’s role, the sociological and psychological aspects of officers who administer the beating, and the timing of when these beatings/killings occurred.

First, it is crucial to note that police brutality is not synonymous to racism against a particular group. However, there is a stigma that police often racially profile a specific African Americans. In February 2015, two cases of police brutality did not involve African Americans; instead the two victims were a Hispanic shot and killed in Washington State and an Indian-American severely paralyzed in Alabama. Even with this considered, of late, a majority of police brutality cases have involved minorities and specifically African American males. Cases such as Michael Brown and Freddie Gray have sparked a cultural uprising. These trigger event inspired the protests and riots against police brutality demonstrating collective action and physical violence, but the idea of police brutality is much larger than these individual cases, since it is a reoccurring cycle.

Racism and police brutality in America” by Cassandra Chaney and Ray V. Robertson touch upon racism and brutality in America. Their article talks about respecting the cops but they also mention police brutality through stories from people that experienced this. Although Satzewich and Shaffir reached out to people to cops to write about their personal experiences and thoughts about racial profiling, Chaney and Robertson’s article is a stronger source because they used several sources and focus on both sides of the situation.

Lately there has been a lot of controversy around the topic of police brutality against African Americans. Everyone has their own opinion regarding this topic, some argue police are too harsh against blacks. Others say they are just doing their job. While indeed police can be brutal to people but it’s not just African Americans that face this brutality. Every race endures discrimination and I think it’s time for people to open their eyes and see that.

Police abuse has been one of the most serious human rights violations in the United States especially for African Americans. In the most recent years, it has come into view of the public for its negative behavior. Unjustified shootings, severe beatings, and rough treatment have all contributed to the problem of police brutality. The case of 47-year old, Charles Kinsey, was one of many to be a victim of unjustifiable actions. Police brutality results in the lack of trust towards policemen, them being charged with a criminal offence, and civilians being afraid of the authorities who are obligated to protect and serve.

Excessive force and police brutality have become common terms for anyone keeping up with today’s current events. In 2014, the media covered numerous cases of excessive force that resulted in the deaths of several people of color (Nelson & Staff, 2014). The most widely covered cases by the media in 2014 were of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black male shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri; and Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black male in Staten Island, New York who was put into a choke by police officer Daniel Pantaleo until he lost consciousness and stopped breathing (Nelson & Staff, 2014). These cases brought attention to the seriousness of police brutality and the curiosity of how often it occurs (Brown, 2015).

If I could choose to live in any time period I would choose to live the United States while police brutality against african americans. But first, what exactly does police brutality define as? Police brutality is the wanton use of excessive force, usually physical, but also common in forms of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer. This paper will talk about various examples of police brutality that is directed towards civilians, and then the side of police officers themselves. In particular, the cases of white cops on black victims. These will include those against Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Rodney King, and Malice Rose. The paper will also provide insight and examples on

   Police work is dangerous. Sometimes police put in situations that excessive force is needed. But, because some officers use these extreme measures in situations when it is not, police brutality occurs. I believe Police brutality needs to be addressed, because it affects every one of us within our society. How can we trust the Police officers who sworn to “serve the public” when they use such excessive force that results in homicide?

Over the last 2-3 years’, police brutality and nation retaliation is all over the news. According to the Washington post, police have fatally shot nearly 1000 people in 2015. (Kindy, Fisher, Tate, & Jenkins, 2015). It was stated in the post, “A single bullet fired at the adrenaline-charged apex of a chase can end a life, wreck a career, spark a riot, spike racial tensions and alter the politics of the nation.” (Kindy et al.,2015). Every time a person is killed by police it takes a toll on the whole nation, from California to the tip of Maine. Generally Speaking, police Brutality has reached an all-time high in the last couple of years. Police officers, the victims’ family, and the bystanders, all play a part in these tragedies, and honestly no one is going about this correctly.

Snyder mentions many flaws of previous research concerning police brutality in an attempt to avoid them in his own research.

Charles M. Blow, father of three, is The New York Time’s visual Op Ed columnist. The author mainly discusses the ongoing epidemic of police brutality on innocent black bystanders, and how it is becoming a form of terrorism. He was prompted to start writing this piece after hearing and watching videos of many of the deadly encounters brought upon by police abuse. The author is trying to substantiate his opinion that the people who are supposed to protect lives (police), have now become a threat to it. He hopes to achieve recognition of this article by presenting the problem to the readers and the surrounding communities in order to raise awareness on the subject. Blow evidences his claim that police brutality is becoming a serious issue by

Police officers have a responsibility of serving and protecting the city that they serve and work for. In some of the calls officers get dispatched to they might be required to use some type of deadly force in order to apprehend the suspect and handle a call. However, deadly use of force doesn’t occur as often as the media says it does. Unfortunately, in the event that police officers use a type of force to subdue a suspect, the officer will be judged and the suspect might claim police brutality. In addition, there are many myths that have been created when it comes to police officers using deadly force. The first is that police officers only use deadly force when coming in to contact with African-Americans. The second is that police officers

It is depressing how many African-Americans have to deal with this, by either being a victim or witnessing it. Take for example, Eric Garner, a man who was choked to death by Officer Daniel Pantaleo, for illegally selling cigarettes. Despite the fact that Pantaleo killed Garner, he has not faced any charges against Garner’s death. In an article, Civil rights prosecutors recommend charges in death of Eric Garner, written by, Matt Zapotosky, he mentions that, “Even incidents that are caught on camera -- such as the shooting death of Alton Sterling by police in Baton Rouge -- do not necessarily mean federal charges will be brought.” Although Garner’s death was caught on camera, federal charges will not be made towards the cop who killed him. This is a prime example displaying how unfair it must be not only for Garner’s family, but for the families of other police brutality victims as well, who don’t receive the justice they need. Besides trauma and despair families have to deal with, some may get affected mentally as well. In another article, Racial violence by law enforcement a public health problem, by David A. Love, he states, “The Student National Medical Association, meanwhile, recognizes that: "police brutality threatens the physical, emotional, and psychological health of those involved and should be addressed not only as an issue of social reform, but also as one of public health…” Society seems to

A common issue presented in today’s national media is police brutality. Police brutality is the use of unnecessary force on civilians by police. The concept of having police officers is to ensure safety and protection of citizens. Police should only use force necessary to accomplish their lawful purpose. The common occurrence of police brutality has sparked responses nationwide in the form of protests, riots, and movements to end the excessive and sometimes fatal force of police officers. The public rallies are also in response to lack of conviction or repercussions of many of the cops who demonstrate unjust police brutality. These incidents are also commonly associated with racial disparity. The headline news stories of the shooting and killing of unarmed African Americans, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and twelve year old Tamir Rice, all in the same year, prompted citizens nationwide that change in the law enforcement system is necessary. While a majority of police abide to their oaths and stand for justice, a noticeable amount have historically misused their power. If a community cannot trust police officers, it will be detrimental for society as a whole.