The purpose of this paper is to analyze occurrences of police brutality in historical and current situations. The relationship between the police force and minority communities has always been tense. Numerous reports have surfaced regarding the improper use of force by law enforcement, which directly violates both departmental rules and legal laws. It seems that certain officers are abusing their authority by targeting marginalized individuals.
Police frequently wear plain clothes to go unnoticed by the public, leading to difficulty in identifying them. They choose to stay undercover and concealed, causing innocent individuals to face unwarranted trouble. Police brutality, a long-standing issue, often involves racism and discrimination.
Police officers frequently face criticism for their use of force in order to protect against significant dangers, affecting both individuals involved in criminal activities and innocent onlookers within society.
The police department’s perceived use of excessive and biased force has caused public fear to rise, resulting in an ongoing controversy between the police and citizens. The general public is now focusing on the police, while citizens are compelled to prioritize protecting themselves from criminals and also being watchful of those responsible for their safety and service.
Bandes (2019) states that African American citizens are primarily targeted by the police force. Statistics indicate that approximately one-third of African Americans become victims of police killings, but only a few cases result in charges against the involved officers. Media coverage is limited to just nine out of a total of 102 potential cases. The public expects law enforcement officers to offer assistance and protection instead of creating problems (Bandes, 2019). Any officer who mistakenly shoots an unarmed civilian should face legal consequences and imprisonment. Furthermore, incidents involving harassment, brutality, murder, and racial discrimination committed by police officers must be adequately addressed. Police brutality goes directly against the values cherished by most citizens.
The incident that occurred on November 15th, 2011, at Liberty Park involved a woman who became a victim of police brutality when she was struck in the face by a police officer. This event sparked protests among citizens and put increased pressure on the NYPD to address this issue. A retired police officer strongly condemned this act, stating his opposition to any form of violence, particularly when it is directed towards defenseless citizens (Bandes, 2019). The numerous cases of police brutality reveal how officers responsible for maintaining peace can evade accountability for the harm they cause to the public.
According to Lawrence (2017), a case reported on December 31, 2015, involved Keith, a 23-year-old African American citizen who was shot by police while standing on his neighbor’s driveway. Despite the incident being an act of injustice towards citizens, the officer responsible for Keith’s death remains unarrested. This situation highlights how police officers often escape punishment by claiming their actions were justified in the line of duty. Lawrence (2017) argues that police brutality played a significant role in the 1967 Detroit rebellion and continues to be a prevalent issue today.
There are cases of police officers shooting people regularly, despite their role to protect them. Reports have been made about unnecessary strategies used by the police to apprehend non-threatening individuals (Bandes, 2019). Both men and women experience police brutality and abuse, although men bear a greater burden (Holmes, 2012). One alarming incident involved a pregnant woman who was physically assaulted for not complying with police demands. Although the officers claimed to have an arrest warrant, they did not present it and faced no consequences.
According to Holmes (2012), an unarmed woman was shot in the back of her head, despite the police officer being aware of her unarmed status. The officer continued shooting at her and her friends with the intention to kill them. This incident occurred while they were on their way home, highlighting the prevalence of violence against women in both public spaces and their own residences.
Research has revealed a higher risk (45 percent) of domestic violence in families where a member is a police officer. Disturbingly, there have been cases where spouses who are law enforcement officers have pursued and murdered their partners. Additionally, women frequently experience sexual abuse, often with perpetrators offering them freedom in exchange for engaging in sexual acts.
The police exploit vulnerable women through sexual assault, with some officers facing no consequences for their actions (Worden, 2015). Evidence suggests that certain officers offer women a way to avoid legal processes by making agreements. Additionally, Holmes (2012) states that when arresting intoxicated women, police officers take advantage of the situation.
The use of force by police without necessity, known as police brutality, is examined by Worden (2015). Although the justice system permits the use of force when necessary, excessive force can be employed by officers in situations where their lives are at risk.
Smith & Holmes (2013) state that police officers often use excessive force when dealing with suspects, and only face consequences when the public expresses outrage. Unarmed civilians being killed by law enforcement officers is a common occurrence. Smith & Holmes (2013) focus on police brutality and human rights, highlighting that black women are more likely to be victims of police misconduct. Furthermore, they argue that these issues are frequently overlooked by the media. Overall, these studies demonstrate the clear prevalence of police officers resorting to excessive force.
