Police Brutality Research Paper

Stiffer consequences for police brutality against violence towards black lives increase gun control, save lives, and promote equality amongst the races. Strict gun control law reform needs to take place in order to prevent unnecessary killings of black lives. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, it was found that “fatal police shootings were about half as common in states whose gun laws place them in the top 25% of stringency than they were in states where such restrictions ranked in the bottom 24%” (Healy, 2017). If police officers stop labeling African Americans, everyone can feel equal.
Many police officers use their guns on their own terms, targeting African American lives. Alicia Garza, an African …show more content…
Starr Brown, a pregnant African American victim of police brutality, trusted the police officers to protect and serve. Walking up the front steps of her home, Starr witnessed two girls being attacked on the street. By the time the police came, the attackers took off. “Brown, angry, demanded the cops chase down the attackers rather than yelling at the victims” (Klein, 1) What happened next, Starr didn’t see coming. When an argument started between her and the officers, the officers tried to arrest her. Starr grabbed a nearby railing screaming that she was pregnant. According to Ms. Brown, “They slammed me down on my face” (Klein 1). With greater consequences against police brutally less of these incidents would occur. In yet another case there was injustice of arresting Sandra Bland. Sandra Bland, another African American victim of police brutality, was arrested for not putting out her cigarette while being inside her own vehicle. Sandra pulled over to the side to allow the officer to pass her but instead she was pulled over, harassed over not putting out her cigarette, and later arrested. After several request to use the phone and denied each time, Sandra hung herself from a bathroom private partition in her cell with a nook around her neck. People put trust in police officers and time again their trust are …show more content…
Officer Jeronimo Yanez, a police officer in the state of Minnesota, was charged with second degree murder and two felony fire armed charges; the outcome of this case led to Officer Yanez found not guilty and acquitted. Officer Yanez was given a separation agreement, leaving Philando Castile’s family feeling as if justice wasn’t served. Castile was in a car with his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her four year old daughter when he was pulled over by Yanez and another officer. Both Philando and Diamond informed Yanez that Philando carried a legal gun. Although the gun was in Philando’s pocket, along with his wallet, Officer Yanez was told what Philando was reaching for. He was reaching for his license in his pocket. The gun was never taken out of his pocket. Philando was racially profiled. Yanez assumed Philando was a part of a robbery. Valerie Castile, Philando’s mother, stated, “our system continues to fail black lives.” She went on to say, “my son loved this city and this city killed my son” If the consequences were stiffer, Officer Yanez would have gotten the punishment he deserves, to be charged and put in jail and Castile's family would have felt like they had justice. Philando would have been alive today as well as many others victimized by police brutality (“Minnesota City Charge To Dismiss Officer Acquitted In Shooting of Philando Castile” 1, 2; Shapiro, Jacobo 1, Shapiro and