The Truth Behind Police Brutality
Eighty four percent of police officers have witnessed other officers use more force than necessary to make an arrest. Some may agree that it is not “police brutality”, just police doing their job. For example, if an officer drags someone out of their car for reaching to get their license, but mistaking it for a weapon, one might say, The officer is just doing his job. While the opposing side argues that every situation does not need excessive force for an officer to “do his job.” Police brutality is an ongoing problem occurring in the United States that should be investigated so legal action can be taken and lives can be saved.
Police brutality is defined as one or more officers using more force than necessary to make an arrest. This includes physical force and or the use of a weapon (Smith 2). Officers should and are required to only use force that is …show more content…
Officers involved in the violent situations are most commonly given a pass and are not held accountable for their unnecessary violent actions. In the state of New Jersey, 99% of the complaints filed against police brutality in not investigated. That one statistic makes it so much easier for police to abuse their power. This also tells them that it is okay to be violent, even when it is not necessary (“5 Things” 4).
Police brutality has definitely increased, but if it is not resolved now, the situation will only get worse. Failing to hold officers accountable for their actions will only help the problem increase (“5 Things” 5). Keep officers on camera. A study tested in 2012 in Rialto, California stated that public complaints dropped 88% from the previous year. The study also stated that officers use of force fell by 60%. Making an officer pay their own settlements could also change police behavior. That will make them question whether the force is absolutely necessary or not (“Seven Reasons”
Eighty four percent of police officers have witnessed other officers use more force than necessary to make an arrest. Some may agree that it is not “police brutality”, just police doing their job. For example, if an officer drags someone out of their car for reaching to get their license, but mistaking it for a weapon, one might say, The officer is just doing his job. While the opposing side argues that every situation does not need excessive force for an officer to “do his job.” Police brutality is an ongoing problem occurring in the United States that should be investigated so legal action can be taken and lives can be saved.
Police brutality is defined as one or more officers using more force than necessary to make an arrest. This includes physical force and or the use of a weapon (Smith 2). Officers should and are required to only use force that is …show more content…
Officers involved in the violent situations are most commonly given a pass and are not held accountable for their unnecessary violent actions. In the state of New Jersey, 99% of the complaints filed against police brutality in not investigated. That one statistic makes it so much easier for police to abuse their power. This also tells them that it is okay to be violent, even when it is not necessary (“5 Things” 4).
Police brutality has definitely increased, but if it is not resolved now, the situation will only get worse. Failing to hold officers accountable for their actions will only help the problem increase (“5 Things” 5). Keep officers on camera. A study tested in 2012 in Rialto, California stated that public complaints dropped 88% from the previous year. The study also stated that officers use of force fell by 60%. Making an officer pay their own settlements could also change police behavior. That will make them question whether the force is absolutely necessary or not (“Seven Reasons”