Police Brutality in the United States
Police play an important role in our society since they are the ones in charge of enforcing the law, keeping the order and protecting the citizens. Because of the complex job police perform, many times they get involved in dangerous and violent situations, where they have no other option rather than to use force to keep control of the situation. However, there are cases where they abuse their power and use excessive force even though it is unnecessary. This is police brutality and refers to “any act of unmerited excessive and aggressive physical, mental and/or emotional abuse, above and beyond the law, enacted upon by an individual or group of individuals in law enforcement” ( Mitchell). Many citizens believe …show more content…
There are many people who develop a psychological disorder due to police brutality. In the article “Police Brutality Position Statement,” published by The Student Medical Association, Roger Mitchell explains what some of the consequences of police brutality are. Mitchell believes that “Damage caused by police brutality goes beyond the physical.” Thus, he claims that the victims of police brutality may suffer from a “psychological trauma,” so they can experience “stress, anxiety, fear, paranoia, distrust, insomnia, anorexia, and depression” (Mitchell). In addition, Mitchel suggests that “Such psychological symptoms can further be manifested as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” Here, the author is trying to say that the trauma police brutality may cause on its victims make it more likely for them to develop stress disorders. This information led to the conclusion that excessive force seriously affects its victims. Police brutality may make people feel different from how they feel before. For example, victims may feel fear and insecurity; they may not even want to socialize or leave their homes in order to avoid getting involved in another incident of this type. They fear to be violated again by the authority. In the same way, these psychological effects affect victims’ lives. According to Mitchell, “Psychological stress often consumes many facets of victims’ lives, adversely affecting job performance, ability to sustain employment, and everyday interactions with family and associates.” This suggests that due to the psychological disorder caused by police brutality, victims may experience trouble completing their tasks at work, which can cause them to lose their job. Also, symptoms like stress and depression can lead the victims to communication problems and bad relationship with family members, friends,
Police play an important role in our society since they are the ones in charge of enforcing the law, keeping the order and protecting the citizens. Because of the complex job police perform, many times they get involved in dangerous and violent situations, where they have no other option rather than to use force to keep control of the situation. However, there are cases where they abuse their power and use excessive force even though it is unnecessary. This is police brutality and refers to “any act of unmerited excessive and aggressive physical, mental and/or emotional abuse, above and beyond the law, enacted upon by an individual or group of individuals in law enforcement” ( Mitchell). Many citizens believe …show more content…
There are many people who develop a psychological disorder due to police brutality. In the article “Police Brutality Position Statement,” published by The Student Medical Association, Roger Mitchell explains what some of the consequences of police brutality are. Mitchell believes that “Damage caused by police brutality goes beyond the physical.” Thus, he claims that the victims of police brutality may suffer from a “psychological trauma,” so they can experience “stress, anxiety, fear, paranoia, distrust, insomnia, anorexia, and depression” (Mitchell). In addition, Mitchel suggests that “Such psychological symptoms can further be manifested as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” Here, the author is trying to say that the trauma police brutality may cause on its victims make it more likely for them to develop stress disorders. This information led to the conclusion that excessive force seriously affects its victims. Police brutality may make people feel different from how they feel before. For example, victims may feel fear and insecurity; they may not even want to socialize or leave their homes in order to avoid getting involved in another incident of this type. They fear to be violated again by the authority. In the same way, these psychological effects affect victims’ lives. According to Mitchell, “Psychological stress often consumes many facets of victims’ lives, adversely affecting job performance, ability to sustain employment, and everyday interactions with family and associates.” This suggests that due to the psychological disorder caused by police brutality, victims may experience trouble completing their tasks at work, which can cause them to lose their job. Also, symptoms like stress and depression can lead the victims to communication problems and bad relationship with family members, friends,