Police officers have a significant role in society because they enforce laws. However, police brutality is a difficult dilemma that has been present in the United States for a long period of time. Nevertheless, with today’s advanced technology, citizens are able to witness the harsh brutality police officers are engaging in towards minorities. Over the last decade cell phones have brought to light the extreme issues of racial disparity in police encounters. There are ethical theories that analyzes police brutality from different point of views such as virtue ethics and ethical formalism. Moreover, there are personal and professional values that makes police officers vulnerable into engaging in police brutality. In order to address police brutality
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There are many individuals in the United States who are ignorant, biased, and racists towards blacks, Hispanics, etc. Moreover, minorities have been marginalized due to their skin color, language, and culture. In the article Racism and Police Brutality it states ‘The fact that whites tend to excuse police brutality against blacks because of the racial animus they hold against blacks. Thus, to whites, blacks are views as deserving of harsh treatment in the criminal justice system” (Peffley, Hurtwitz, Chaney & Robertson, 2013). This quote shows that there is still discrimination in the United States. White individuals believe that Blacks deserve to be abused by police officers because they are categorized as aggressive. Black males in specific, are viewed as the prototypical …show more content…
From an Ethical formalism point of view, police officers are required to do their duty, and having good will is important. This ties in with police brutality because police officers who abuse their authority are not following their professional duty and is against having good will. An example of police misconduct towards minorities is the Eric garner Case. In the article, The Actual Facts on the Eric Garner’s Case on the website, Breitbat.com, it shows an insight of the facts that lead to Eric Garner’s case. In the article it states “The video shows Garner resisting arrest, although not violently so – he shouts at officers, “Every time you see me you want to arrest me, I’m tired of this, this stops today…I didn’t do nothing…I’m minding my business, officer…” while waving his arms animatedly — before Pantaleo comes up behind him and places his left arm around Garner’s neck, bringing his right arm up below Garner’s right arm.” (Shapiro) Garner, was clearly not resisting when he was getting arrested. Even though he was engaging in illegal activity he did not pose as an imminent threat, and that is how the police officers treated him. The police officers thought that they were doing their duty, however, they used exceeded force when it was not necessary which not part of their good will
There are many individuals in the United States who are ignorant, biased, and racists towards blacks, Hispanics, etc. Moreover, minorities have been marginalized due to their skin color, language, and culture. In the article Racism and Police Brutality it states ‘The fact that whites tend to excuse police brutality against blacks because of the racial animus they hold against blacks. Thus, to whites, blacks are views as deserving of harsh treatment in the criminal justice system” (Peffley, Hurtwitz, Chaney & Robertson, 2013). This quote shows that there is still discrimination in the United States. White individuals believe that Blacks deserve to be abused by police officers because they are categorized as aggressive. Black males in specific, are viewed as the prototypical …show more content…
From an Ethical formalism point of view, police officers are required to do their duty, and having good will is important. This ties in with police brutality because police officers who abuse their authority are not following their professional duty and is against having good will. An example of police misconduct towards minorities is the Eric garner Case. In the article, The Actual Facts on the Eric Garner’s Case on the website, Breitbat.com, it shows an insight of the facts that lead to Eric Garner’s case. In the article it states “The video shows Garner resisting arrest, although not violently so – he shouts at officers, “Every time you see me you want to arrest me, I’m tired of this, this stops today…I didn’t do nothing…I’m minding my business, officer…” while waving his arms animatedly — before Pantaleo comes up behind him and places his left arm around Garner’s neck, bringing his right arm up below Garner’s right arm.” (Shapiro) Garner, was clearly not resisting when he was getting arrested. Even though he was engaging in illegal activity he did not pose as an imminent threat, and that is how the police officers treated him. The police officers thought that they were doing their duty, however, they used exceeded force when it was not necessary which not part of their good will