Currently, the largest ethical issue facing the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is the idea of police misconduct in regards to racial profiling. This comes to light after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black man, who was shot and killed by a white police officer, in Ferguson, Missouri (Buchanan), in 2014. Three other unarmed black individuals were also killed by white officers in a two-month span surrounding Brown’s death, including Ezell Ford, Frank Alvarado and Eric Garner (Cordell). Due to these events, groups continuously rally around the United States using slogans such as “Black Lives Matter” and “Hands-Up, Don’t Shoot,” a quote that originated from the death of Brown.
Current Research Suggestions for Improvement
Before …show more content…
This type of oversight holds officers accountable to the public by providing independent review of complaints of police misconduct, instead of relying only upon internal investigations in which, essentially, the department investigates itself (Cordell).
In 1988, 20-year-old Cara Knott was murdered by Officer Craig Peyer, a six-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. This murder illustrates what happens when independent civilian oversight is not in existence. After stopping Knott for a traffic violation, the officer made sexual advances on her. After her refusal, he killed her by strangling her and throwing her body over a bridge. Unfortunately, a number of other young women had also been the victims of the officer. After filing complaints, the Internal Affairs Unit dismissed their complaints. The officer is now serving a life sentence in a California prison for the murder of Cara Knott (Cordell).
Finally, law enforcement officers should be required to wear body cameras. If worn, law enforcement agencies should create that strictly regulates their use. Cameras promote transparency in policing, as they hold officers and the public accountable for their actions.
Results of Proposed Solutions at Other …show more content…
In 2009 it became the first known police department to utilize body cameras. A study that analyzed the use of body cameras in Rialto showed that use of force incidents dropped by 59 percent and that civilian complaints about police misconduct decreased by 87.5 percent” (Cordell).
Identify Limitations of Proposed Solutions
The biggest limitation to the proposed solution is that of the body cameras. Police warn body cameras are a controversial topic. We know little about the circumstances surrounding the death of Brown, but if the officer who killed Brown had been wearing a body camera, Brown could still be alive, due to the officer being held more accountable for his actions. Being observed affects our behavior in a myriad of ways.
Many are offended by the idea of recording officers, due to privacy; however, body cameras are a tool of accountability. Those who do not abuse their power and use it responsibly have much to gain from video recording. Those who abuse their power will have to be held accountable and provide an answer for their actions.
Current Research Suggestions for Improvement
Before …show more content…
This type of oversight holds officers accountable to the public by providing independent review of complaints of police misconduct, instead of relying only upon internal investigations in which, essentially, the department investigates itself (Cordell).
In 1988, 20-year-old Cara Knott was murdered by Officer Craig Peyer, a six-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. This murder illustrates what happens when independent civilian oversight is not in existence. After stopping Knott for a traffic violation, the officer made sexual advances on her. After her refusal, he killed her by strangling her and throwing her body over a bridge. Unfortunately, a number of other young women had also been the victims of the officer. After filing complaints, the Internal Affairs Unit dismissed their complaints. The officer is now serving a life sentence in a California prison for the murder of Cara Knott (Cordell).
Finally, law enforcement officers should be required to wear body cameras. If worn, law enforcement agencies should create that strictly regulates their use. Cameras promote transparency in policing, as they hold officers and the public accountable for their actions.
Results of Proposed Solutions at Other …show more content…
In 2009 it became the first known police department to utilize body cameras. A study that analyzed the use of body cameras in Rialto showed that use of force incidents dropped by 59 percent and that civilian complaints about police misconduct decreased by 87.5 percent” (Cordell).
Identify Limitations of Proposed Solutions
The biggest limitation to the proposed solution is that of the body cameras. Police warn body cameras are a controversial topic. We know little about the circumstances surrounding the death of Brown, but if the officer who killed Brown had been wearing a body camera, Brown could still be alive, due to the officer being held more accountable for his actions. Being observed affects our behavior in a myriad of ways.
Many are offended by the idea of recording officers, due to privacy; however, body cameras are a tool of accountability. Those who do not abuse their power and use it responsibly have much to gain from video recording. Those who abuse their power will have to be held accountable and provide an answer for their actions.