Examination on Police Brutality America’s legacy of freedom and independence has come to define our nation and be a great source of pride. However, after myriad cases of police brutality appearing across various media outlets, many are beginning to doubt the extent of our equality and if it applies to all citizens. This is particularly highlighted in the video footage that has surfaced, exposing the use of excessive force by police officers on civilians, causing many to question the legality of their actions. Rising tensions over lost loved ones and demeaning treatment have sparked protests and riots across the nation. There is, however, rising opposition to those claiming police mistreatment leading the nation to become divided
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Regardless of my position the situation contains apparent root and proximate causes that illuminate the reason they continue to happen. For instance, a black teenage student was assaulted by an officer in a classroom at Spring Valley High School. The officer was called to the classroom at the teacher’s request due to her refusal to put her phone away and leave the room. The assault was graphic as he dragged the young fifteen-year-old slammed her to the floor all while the teacher watched and one student filmed. Reports also surfaced from past graduates and students that this behavior is not uncommon at there school and has been occurring for years (Shen). The proximity cause in this situation is the students refusal to leave and the officer’s mistreatment and improper technique. In numerous cases of police brutality, slight disagreements is a common proximity cause, such as Sandra Bland, seen in numerous police brutality cases, including minor offenses and how they carry themselves (Trayvon Martin). This is specifically seen in the case of Mike Brown where his identifying feature filled with coded language, repeatedly stated by the media and Darren Wilson, was his “thuggish behavior”, “aggressive, demon, face…” and height, as their justification (Jaffe)(Piers). Theses direct …show more content…
The investigation reports the bias against Black residents with eighty-eight percent experiencing use of force, ninety-five percent having jailed more than two days, and nine-three being arrested when only sixty-seven percent of the town is black. Numerous account reveals officer and court employees conveying racist views through interviews and conversation. “Messages between Ferguson officials compared African-Americans to chimpanzees and characterized a black woman’s abortion as an effective crime-stopping tool.” The department also used tasers and dogs in unnecessary amount on black suspects. They also “budgeted for large increases in municipal fines and fees each year, putting pressure on the police and court officials to meet their targets.” These fines include outrageous amounts for minor offenses, for instance, a five hundred dollar fine for weeds and high grass in yard or a seven hundred dollar fine for failure to comply with an officers (Desantis). However Ferguson is not an outside the norm, these injustices occur in multiple police departments, such as the Los Angeles Department, Chicago department, New York department, Cleveland department and many more, as its the structure of these forces that train police to see communities of color as dangerous and to behave like occupying forces creates the
Regardless of my position the situation contains apparent root and proximate causes that illuminate the reason they continue to happen. For instance, a black teenage student was assaulted by an officer in a classroom at Spring Valley High School. The officer was called to the classroom at the teacher’s request due to her refusal to put her phone away and leave the room. The assault was graphic as he dragged the young fifteen-year-old slammed her to the floor all while the teacher watched and one student filmed. Reports also surfaced from past graduates and students that this behavior is not uncommon at there school and has been occurring for years (Shen). The proximity cause in this situation is the students refusal to leave and the officer’s mistreatment and improper technique. In numerous cases of police brutality, slight disagreements is a common proximity cause, such as Sandra Bland, seen in numerous police brutality cases, including minor offenses and how they carry themselves (Trayvon Martin). This is specifically seen in the case of Mike Brown where his identifying feature filled with coded language, repeatedly stated by the media and Darren Wilson, was his “thuggish behavior”, “aggressive, demon, face…” and height, as their justification (Jaffe)(Piers). Theses direct …show more content…
The investigation reports the bias against Black residents with eighty-eight percent experiencing use of force, ninety-five percent having jailed more than two days, and nine-three being arrested when only sixty-seven percent of the town is black. Numerous account reveals officer and court employees conveying racist views through interviews and conversation. “Messages between Ferguson officials compared African-Americans to chimpanzees and characterized a black woman’s abortion as an effective crime-stopping tool.” The department also used tasers and dogs in unnecessary amount on black suspects. They also “budgeted for large increases in municipal fines and fees each year, putting pressure on the police and court officials to meet their targets.” These fines include outrageous amounts for minor offenses, for instance, a five hundred dollar fine for weeds and high grass in yard or a seven hundred dollar fine for failure to comply with an officers (Desantis). However Ferguson is not an outside the norm, these injustices occur in multiple police departments, such as the Los Angeles Department, Chicago department, New York department, Cleveland department and many more, as its the structure of these forces that train police to see communities of color as dangerous and to behave like occupying forces creates the