Differential Police Treatment

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although surveys done by the Bureau of Justice Statistics report that police officers have used excessive force in less than 1 percent of contacts with civilians and suspects, blacks perceive excessive force as a problem. The author points out the common thread of their complaints is that many members of various black communities feel that they are unfairly targeted, especially with regard to the use of excessive force, and to the differences white and black residents ascribe to these incidents, especially in nonviolent offenses. The paper concludes that, while grassroots political action can call attention to the problem, many black leaders believe that the problem can only be solved through recognition of the problem and a strong political will.

From the Paper:

"Definitions of "excessive force" differ from community to community. In two middle-class communities outside of Washington, DC with a majority of black citizens, the practice of "proning out" a suspect on the ground was common during street arrests. This involves putting the individuals on the ground with their arms behind the back. Many black residents charge that individuals are proned out on the ground even when the suspect presents no danger to the officers."

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• Essay # 72041 : "Police and the Community"

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