Allan Geary
Mr.Murphy
7 January, 2015
Police Brutality in America
In result of the recent events and heavy media coverage like the case of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the controversy of excessive force and police brutality has become more renown than ever before. The use of excessive force by police officers has been growing despite the protection offered in the Constitution for citizens against such drastic measures. The term “Police Brutality” and what it encompases appears to have a varying definition with the justice system. Police Brutality is formally defined as the “wanton use of excessive force, usually physical, but also common in forms of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer.” Due to its broad definition, it's often formed to meet a certain criteria in the courtroom and altered in order to benefit who's being accused. With more and more innocent lives lost …show more content…
On March 3, 1991, Rodney king was detained after a high speed chase. Once he was pulled over the officers ordered King and his passengers to exit the car. Both passengers exited and were manhandled and threatened. When King got out of the car he was acting suspicious. He reached towards his backside and the officers thought he was reaching for a weapon. King was arrested by the LAPD. In the days following the arrest, a video was released of Kings arrest. It showed footage of the cops beating on the man. This video sparked controversy across America and riots in LA. A second event happened to Abner Louima On August 9th 1997. NYPD were called to a club fight and an officer was assaulted. Abner was the suspect. On the way back to the station the officers beat Abner with their hands and hand held radios. When they got to the station they brought him into the bathroom and sodomized him with a broomstick. Theses actions taken by these police officers were indeed cruel and unusual. Also a direct violation to the ith
Mr.Murphy
7 January, 2015
Police Brutality in America
In result of the recent events and heavy media coverage like the case of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the controversy of excessive force and police brutality has become more renown than ever before. The use of excessive force by police officers has been growing despite the protection offered in the Constitution for citizens against such drastic measures. The term “Police Brutality” and what it encompases appears to have a varying definition with the justice system. Police Brutality is formally defined as the “wanton use of excessive force, usually physical, but also common in forms of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer.” Due to its broad definition, it's often formed to meet a certain criteria in the courtroom and altered in order to benefit who's being accused. With more and more innocent lives lost …show more content…
On March 3, 1991, Rodney king was detained after a high speed chase. Once he was pulled over the officers ordered King and his passengers to exit the car. Both passengers exited and were manhandled and threatened. When King got out of the car he was acting suspicious. He reached towards his backside and the officers thought he was reaching for a weapon. King was arrested by the LAPD. In the days following the arrest, a video was released of Kings arrest. It showed footage of the cops beating on the man. This video sparked controversy across America and riots in LA. A second event happened to Abner Louima On August 9th 1997. NYPD were called to a club fight and an officer was assaulted. Abner was the suspect. On the way back to the station the officers beat Abner with their hands and hand held radios. When they got to the station they brought him into the bathroom and sodomized him with a broomstick. Theses actions taken by these police officers were indeed cruel and unusual. Also a direct violation to the ith