Distrust In Police

There is no question that police brutality, when it occurs, is one of the most egregious violations of public trust that a public servant can commit. Police officers, those individuals taxed with protecting the public from danger, should never be in a situation where they pose a threat to the public. Furthermore, there is no question that police brutality occurs. Moreover, generally when there are allegations of police brutality, there has been some type of underlying violent incident. In addition, while issues of brutality may seem clear-cut to a disinterested observer, it is critical to keep in mind that law enforcement officers are not presented with textbook examples of the appropriate or inappropriate use of force, but real-life scenarios involving quick decisions. There are many arrest and non-arrest scenarios where officers need to use force to protect self or others; and the degree of force required may be greater than what a disinterested observer would assume. Another recurrent issue in debates about police brutality is that racial bias appears to be a motive behind police brutality. When one considers that minorities are disproportionately likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes, one would expect to find a disproportionate number of minorities among those alleging police brutality. Therefore, while acknowledging that police brutality, when it occurs, is a serious problem, the reality is that most

Police officers are individuals who enforce the law upon their community to ensure that their citizens remain safe. In the past couple of years, officers of the law have been involved in acts of brutality that seem to go beyond the proper measurements of protection for their citizens. Policemen are supposed to protect their citizens from danger and from harm, not impose a threat on them. The fact that officers have a history of abusing their power indicates that their trust amongst the community has been corrupted. Those who have been affected of police brutality feel as though they have been deceived. They no longer feel that police officers will protect them, but rather abuse them, and that is a problem. We have began to live in a community in which an individual feels frightened when seeing a cop, rather than feeling protected. Some individuals may argue that police brutality is not a problem due to the fact that it is not consistent enough to catch the attention of needing a solution. However, that idea means little when the level of brutality has led to the death of several innocent victims in some cases. We must not wait for there to be a pattern of death at the hands of police officials to consider this a problem. One death indicates that preventive measures must be taken to ensure that these officers are no longer put in the position to abuse their power to begin with.

In order to bridge the gap between police officers and the community, trust needs to be established. The community needs to feel secure that the officers are there to serve and protect them from harm. Ozkan, Worrall, and Piqueri (2016) article called " Does Minority Representation in Police Agencies Reduce Assaults on the Police?" analyzed the hypothesis that minority representation in the police departments is inversely associated with assaults against the police (p. 402). For this study, data was collected from several official databases such as 2007-2009 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA), 2000 Census, 2007 Uniform Crime Reports Offenses Known as Clearances by Arrest (UCR), and the 2007 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative

In the recent years, police abuse has become clear to the public eye. Citizens in society are now not only trying to shelter and protect themselves from criminals, but now they must make sure they look out for those who are supposed to be the “peace keepers” that protect and serve. In this essay, it will discuss the incidents involving police brutality in society today, and also how the justice system is continuing to take away the given rights to citizens of the United States of America. Citizens must be able to protect themselves from the police officers taking advantage of their powers as a law enforcement agent. With this distinguishable difference in power, the citizens are prominently at a standstill for justice.

Since a very young age we have been taught to put our trust into police officers. If we are in distress, they are always there to help since it is their job to protect and serve the common citizen. So what happens when the individuals we are supposed to trust to bring justice are the ones causing the injustice we see in the news? Recently, several police officers have been under fire for their excessive use of force. The number of casualties caused by police officers in the recent years have citizens demanding a reform in the system that officers work under.

Across the nation, injustice has been increasing alongside with bodies and outrage. Citizens put their trust in the hands of police officers who tend to careless on what’s the meaning of their position, and they seem to only care that their position makes them “unstoppable” which is why they do whatever they please. Unfortunately, those who face injustice right in the eye cannot speak for themselves since their life is taken away instantly or are being incarcerated because “justice” usually favors the incorrupt. Across the United States, over thirty citizens have been murdered and beaten by police (“30 Cases…”). As a result, many riots and protests have been advocating the end to police brutality and the end of injustice. Police brutality should be at rest. There has been so many finger pointing on whose fault it is so the blaming game needs to end soon. Police brutality seems to occur with minorities or the behavior and views of police officers.

In today’s society police forces all across the nation are undergoing extreme scrutiny due to numerous instances that have taken place. While the media seems to be focusing on the negative aspects of these instances and stirring even more controversy, I think that a pivotal part of the story isn’t being told. This part of the story comes from the officers’ perspective; the perspective of the people that are sworn to uphold the law and to protect the citizens in their community. This paper is designed to bring light to that side of the story, the side of the officer, the importance of their position, the dangers that they face on a daily basis to protect members of the community, and how as a public we can better understand and appreciate what police officers do for us each and every day.

Under community policing systems there is an emphasis on partnerships, and developing trust between the community and the police officers, with the goal of working together towards common goals such as reducing violent crime and providing safety for the most vulnerable members of the public. (Oliver, 2011). The main advantage of community policing is that it enlists the public as an ally in the goal of reducing crime, instead of having a public that is sceptical or outright hostile towards the police. In practical terms, community policing generates more leads and cooperation from the public, since the public views the police officers as a force for good. (Greene,

In the United States, there are places where there is a large disconnect between law enforcement and communities. Examples of these places include New York City and Ferguson, Missouri where relationships between the agencies and predominantly people of color are difficult (Comey, 2015). Not only will education of individuals allow citizens to better understand their rights (ACLU, 2016), but also the education of the police through communication with citizens. Citizens should be able to feel like they play a part in their communities, they should be able to have an opinion on issues and express their ideas to better their environments through constructive ways. For this to happen, police must be willing to hear issues concerning communities

It has been consistently shown in research that minorities are more likely to be mistreated by the police compared to other people (Dunnaville, 2000). Recent incidents have seen the police use excessive force on people and mistreat minorities. As such, the legitimacy of the police has been put under scrutiny and questioned. Many communities in the United States have demonstrated in reaction to recent incidents of police misconduct and excessive use of force. The people have lost trust in the police because of these issues. The police force has been accused of mistreating people, sexual harassment, violent and careless arrests among people particularly the minorities. As demonstrated in the movie ‘Policing the Police’ police officers are seen mistreating people for instance the scene where the police sexually harassed a teenager by touching sensitive areas. Community members are not willing to trust or work with the police to fight crime. As such, it is critical for the police agencies and department to make improving police-community relationship a top police priority. Policies should be developed that will strengthen the mutual trust between the police and the community. This relationship is critical because the police depend on information from the community to fight crime in the society.

The findings also support the contention that experience may shape or alter one’s perceptions about civilian review. Although there may be a tendency for police officers to mistrust a completely civilian review, it appears that such mistrust may be overcome by the board’s exercise of fairness, objectivity, and thoroughness in its processes. Indeed, experiences with the board seem to make a difference in one’s perceptions. As regards the tendency for police officers in such phenomenon may be borne by the natural tendency of police officers to be wary and suspicious of the unknown (Skolnick, 1966). This reaction by the latter group may be a natural response when they are confronted with circumstances that bring about uncertainties in their job

In the past when people would hear the word “police”, usually a thought of protection and safety would come to their minds. However, as of recently when police are mentioned, a new thought of danger is often generated in their minds. It is not uncommon for a person living in a poor neighborhood nowadays to feel uncomfortable in the presence of police, and for good reason. How many times by now have you heard of someone being killed by a policeman for resisting arrest? Many police shoot to kill and we may think of them as ruthless, however are they to blame or is it the system we should blame for training them to do so? New police policies need to be implemented into the system because police are causing many unnecessary deaths by being

Ever since you were little, who have you’ve been taught to call in case of an emergency? Remember the three numbers your parents would repeat until they’ve been installed in your head. Yes, 911, the people who serve to protect you. Now why has it become that some Americans have turned against them? If someone breaks into your house, if you’re hurt, if someone else is hurt, if you’re scared and need help. Who has been there to help? The Police. I think it’s a little concerning to know that a lot of people lack an appreciation for the instant support they have. To begin, I will talk about how we should fix the lack of policemen. Then, I will talk about the view on cops. And finally, stability.

There is a perception of distrust between law enforcement and the community. This distrust stems directly from the dangerous words police use when communicating with the community. (Willis, 2015, p.) Simply choosing better words can help build relationships between law enforcement and the community. It is necessary for law enforcement to have trust with their community. There are many things that hinge on the police-community relationships, the ability of law enforcement to perform their duties, are the most important. Law enforcement must be willing to rely on the public to observe the law. They must always demonstrate absolute impartiality to the law.

A common issue presented in today’s national media is police brutality. Police brutality is the use of unnecessary force on civilians by police. The concept of having police officers is to ensure safety and protection of citizens. Police should only use force necessary to accomplish their lawful purpose. The common occurrence of police brutality has sparked responses nationwide in the form of protests, riots, and movements to end the excessive and sometimes fatal force of police officers. The public rallies are also in response to lack of conviction or repercussions of many of the cops who demonstrate unjust police brutality. These incidents are also commonly associated with racial disparity. The headline news stories of the shooting and killing of unarmed African Americans, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and twelve year old Tamir Rice, all in the same year, prompted citizens nationwide that change in the law enforcement system is necessary. While a majority of police abide to their oaths and stand for justice, a noticeable amount have historically misused their power. If a community cannot trust police officers, it will be detrimental for society as a whole.