Abstract This paper discusses police brutality and whether financial damages awarded equals justice. The paper further discusses the different degrees of brutality and the frequency of occurrence. The writer looks into the potential damages to public agencies and whether town, city and county governments face bankruptcy or financial ruin because of these judgments against them. In conclusion the paper examines whether this need to sue reflects problems in society and whether there is a cultural basis for it.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions and Sub-Questions
Definition of Police Brutality Limitations of Study
Brief Review of Related Literature
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Part of the problem is most aspects of police abuse, its data collection and lawsuits resulting for "police brutality" is inadequate. Some cities do not even distinguish amounts paid in cases of misconduct, including excessive force, from damages arising because of traffic accidents. This allows lack of concrete data just allows the trend to continue. Other information includes a myriad of police actions not even associated with misconduct or monetary judgments, rather they are completely different police matters somehow thrown in the mix. For instance the data collection at Atlanta's police department had no system intact and one wonders why the agency out of cities surveyed pays the most lawsuits."
Abstract This paper basically argues that we all have evil in us and we all have the potential of being evil. In other words, we all have the capability of being the next Hitler, but due to our restraints and good will, we will not. This paper also analyzes through literature and artwork, what happens when those restraints fail and evil is unleashed.
From the Paper "If I were to say that you could be the next Hitler, you would probably think I was crazy and didn't know what I was talking about. Unfortunately this statement cannot be impossible, for everybody has the possibility of being the next Hitler. We all have that possibility because we all have our human nature and this nature covers a vast spectrum. There are people who strive to emerge on the loving side of the spectrum, like Mother Theresa, who gave the world an idea of the infinite beauty and love of the human spirit. She showed everyone how just one woman with love in her heart could affect the world in such a monumental way. Unfortunately the world was also affected in monumental ways by those who represent the other end of the spectrum, people like Pol Pot, who gave the world a grim awakening of just how low the human spirit could fall and how a human spirit absent of love can result in the deaths of millions. Though atrocities such as this may have occurred in the past, the capabilities of human nature have not changed. We are still able to act in same ways as Pol Pot, just as we are able to act in the same was of Mother Theresa. What seems to confuse us all is that even though we are all capable love, some still choose to hate. It is this breach in reason that intrigues a number of authors, poets, and artists and results in their exploration of human nature in such stories as A Modest Proposal and Ladies and Gentlemen, to the gas chambers and pieces of art like "Third of May" and "Massacre of Chois.""
Tags: art, brutality, chois, literature, massacre, may, modest, proposal, swift, third
Abstract This paper examines how the use of force and brutality are on the minds of every police officer and police administrator every day and how both have to think about whether it is ethical to apply the amount of force necessary without it becoming police brutality. It explores how the law enforcement community has been challenged to formulate innovative systems and procedures to help guide an agency to accomplish its mission with minimal use-of-force and misconduct incidents. It discusses how implementation of proactive measures to identify and control these incidents will help chief executives to tactfully and diplomatically handle controversial uses of force as they occur.
From the Paper "More and more cases are arising saying police used excessive force in their arrests. There is a definite need for use of force in law enforcement. However there is also a line where the use of force becomes excessive. From the position of a law enforcement officer, there are situations that become very hostile and dangerous. The officers are obligated to get those situations under control as fast as possible without bringing any harm to themselves, innocent bystanders or the arrestee. The absence of the use of force in any arrest is very limited. Without the use of force there would be some situations that could not be handled correctly and someone's life may be in danger."
Abstract This paper discusses that, many times, people are stopped for no reason and subjected to callous behavior at the hands of police officers; therefore, it is important for everyone to overcome his or her preconceived notions of different races in order to stop this despicable behavior. The author points out that the myths of black criminality are so embedded in the white psyche that it seems perfectly natural to many Americans that blacks are disproportionately stopped for traffic infractions, arrested for drug offenses, swept off the street for loitering, and sent to prison. The paper concludes that, although cases of police brutality against Hispanics and African-Americans are capturing the attention of the public, these groups continue to face racial profiling.
Table of Contents
Introduction
History of Brutality Past Cases
Present Cases
Conclusion
From the Paper "New York City's police department has a history of racial abuse. Police officials there report a decrease in crime rates, however they often fail to mention that ?civilian complaints of police abuse has risen almost 40% since 1993 and the amount the city has paid to settle these claims has doubled.? Between 1997 and 1998, out of the 45,000 people detained, only 9,500 were arrested. This illustrates the point that over 35,000 people were stopped for no reason, most of whom were African American or Hispanic. Some of these innocent citizens have been the subjects of appalling ?cases of police brutality which has heightened resentment toward the police and concerns about the city's policing police."
Abstract Police brutality is defined as the excessive use of physical force, assault, verbal attacks, and threats by police officers. This paper discusses how police brutality has existed as long has law enforcement has been around and how many different tactics to prevent it have been instituted. In particular, the paper looks at the public's perception that police misuse and abuse their power, citing the Chicago disturbance of 1919 and the Los Angeles riots following the controversial Rodney King trial as examples.
From the Paper "There are many different reasons to why police brutality exists, one of them which is commonly used by police departments, is the "bad apple paradigm". This reason for brutality is often used by departments because it alleviates most of their responsibility for the brutality because they can simply blame that individual and say that it is an isolated incident caused by a bad apple. Criminologist and Author David Friedrich once said "Police work is likely to attract at least some individuals who enjoy bullying others or join the force with the intention of exploiting special opportunities to enrich themselves. At one time this was the most widely accepted cause of police brutality, but within recent years, research has proven otherwise. Profiles of officers that had used excessive force were examined by psychologists and what was discovered, is that there was such a wide range of profiles that it did not support the 'bad apple' stereotype."
Abstract This paper analyzes Eli Wiesel's work as a representation of the holocaust that has not been romanticized. It deals with the irony of Wiesel's life- that he survived as a human but he lost his humanity. It discusses Wiesel's description of the brutality of the camps and its effect on family ties, relationships, love and other emotions. It explores Wiesel's experiences with torture and the way that his beliefs and faith were changed by this experience. The paper also deals with the difficult choices he had to make and the loss of conscience experienced by holocaust victims. The paper concludes with a look at man's inherent struggle for survival.
From the Paper "Eli Wiesel's narrative of his experience in a German concentration camp "Night" is one of the few media representations of the era, which does not make a mockery of the tragedy. The chronicle of one mans life; the book presents the tragedy without the romanticism. It is a depiction of the events that were so inhuman, so innately callous that they caused a man to lose faith in everything."
Abstract The paper examines the legal use of force on behalf of police officers versus aggressive and excessive violence. The paper looks at various articles and focuses on highly publicized incidents, such as the Rodney King and Malice Green cases. The paper explains that there are many factors that contribute to police brutality and explores policy changes that can eliminate this use of excessive force.
Outline:
Introduction
Article Summaries and Findings
Insightful Analysis of Policy Implications or Creative Ideas for Application in the Criminal Justice Field
Conclusion
From the Paper "The traditional police behavior as "crime-fighters" is constantly reinforced by the mass media through television, movies, and news reporting. A lot of cliches are used to describe the exemplifying role of police officers whose basic responsibility is to maintain order and public safety. It is undeniable that police officers are authorized to use force in some circumstances to overcome resistance of "difficult" populations. Thus violence or rough behavior is used by police against certain people in certain situations. However, it is important to distinguish between the legal use of force and unnecessary violence, aggressive and excessive force that are all various types of police brutality."
This paper analyzes the issue of police brutality while also discussing the role of the media in depicting cases of unwarranted excessive force on the part of law enforcement officers.
Abstract This paper examines the use of excessive police force primarily among minorities. This paper discusses the various reasons excessive force not only occurs but continues to grow at an alarming rate. This paper contains data and statistics relevant to this particular topic. This paper discusses the issue of police brutality from the point of view of law enforcement officers who insist that excessive force is used in less than 1% of contacts with civilians and suspects. This paper also delves into this issue from the point of view of African-Americans who contend that police brutality is significantly higher than the claims made by law enforcement officers. The writer analyzes the systematic biases that are present when debating this controversial topic. This paper discusses the fact that officers are rarely convicted for improper use of violence which indirectly contributes to this growing problem. This paper examines the role of the media in depicting police brutality while also detailing the case of Tyisha Miller, a young black woman killed by police in California.
Table of Contents:
A National Pattern
Systemic Bias
Media Ownership
Works Cited
From the Paper "Many members of various minority groups feel that they are unfairly targeted, especially with regard to the use of excessive force and the differences that white and black residents ascribe to these incidents. In many cases, such as the cases of Wilson and Oregon, the incidents are sparked by non-violent offenses. In addition to fatal shootings, many police officers are also resorting to the use of TASER or stun guns, in situations which were previously resolved without the use of force. Statistics from the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, for example, show a stunning increase in the use of TASERS. In 2000, there were only three reported uses of TASER guns. a mere two years later, that figure jumped to 295."
Abstract The paper discusses how police brutality is an issue that negatively affects the social and legal foundations of society. The paper relates that police brutality and racial profiling make up the core of today's policing. The paper explains that when police brutality happens, civil society ceases to trust the police and laws that the police are supposed to enforce are no longer followed and respected. The paper contends that law enforcement agencies should be given limited power and right to enforce the rule of law, especially under circumstances wherein judgment of one's misconduct or offense is based on the officer's/enforcer's subjective judgment alone, without sufficient empirical evidence and objective analysis.
From the Paper "Operationalizing the concept of police brutality, it is legally defined as the usage of deadly force in enforcing rules and laws upon the civil society. The key term being "deadly force," police brutality is often an issue relevant and significant mostly among members of minority groups. This is because historically and up until now, police brutality has always been considered a social problem commonly occurring among non-white American members of the society."
Abstract "The 1991 beating of California motorist Rodney King will have an impact on law enforcement for years to come. The videotape of the beating, broadcast nationwide, resulted in public outrage over police brutality. The City of Los Angeles appointed a special commission to investigate whether brutality was widespread within the police department.
From the Paper "The 1991 beating of California motorist Rodney King will have an impact on law enforcement for years to come. The videotape of the beating, broadcast nationwide, resulted in public outrage over police brutality. The City of Los Angeles appointed a special commission to investigate whether brutality was widespread within the police department. Police departments across the country likewise reviewed their own policies on excessive force. Despite these efforts, citizen complaints about police brutality have increased since the Rodney King beating.
Police are allowed to use force during the course of their daily activities. Force can be used to make arrests, maintain order, or keep the peace. The important thing is that the police officer is able to gain control of the situation. How the officer gains control is left up to his or her judgment: "In ..."
Abstract This paper presents an investigational analysis to determine how much force is considered excessive, thus qualifying as police brutality and whether or not police brutality is persisting unchecked within the United States. It validates the concept that police officers act more out of tyranny and excessive power than out of a genuine concern for the needs of the people.
From the Paper "Police brutality, or the excessive use of force by police officers to contain common citizens, is on the rise in the United States. More and more innocent victims are losing their lives as a result of police officers and agents that are under trained and trapped in an ancient mind-frame, which dictates that the role of the police officer is to capture the bad guy rather than protect the innocent citizen. Police officers working in agencies in modern society far too often feel the need to establish authority and superiority by harming citizens rather than by acting as guardians and representatives of the people of this country."
Abstract This paper states that boxing is seen by many as a brutal sport. The author points out that Roy Jones, Jr., has held world championships in the three weight divisions of Light Heavyweight, Super Middleweight and Middleweight. The paper relates that he has been a force against brutality with a style that is conservative but effective.
From the Paper "Boxing is seen by many as a brutal sport. Images of men beating each other to bloody submission lead to the misunderstanding that a boxing match is simply a legalized street fight. Roy Jones, Jr., who has held world championships ..."
Abstract This paper provides an in depth history of the medieval Crusades, and reviews James Reston Jr.'s book on the "Crusades, Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade". The author discusses the brutal and savage events of the three Christian expeditions to the Holy Land between 1095 and 1192, and the two most famous leaders in the final campaign, Richard the Lionheart, monarch of England, and Saladin, the Moslem conqueror.
From the Paper "James Reston Jr's Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade presents the Crusades as he sees it. In the past the books that present the Crusades have managed to create a glamorous and romantic image of a war that caused destruction for years. The book relates events in a manner that we realize that the crusades were among the most destructive wars on earth. In the name of God and civilization, massive expeditions created havoc on earth. Three Christian expeditions to the Holy Land between 1095 and 1192, took place each of which was cruel to any person that stood between the crusaders and the recovery of their religious shrines from Islam - especially those in Jerusalem . Reston clearly states that there was nobility involved nor was there even a hint of romance. The Crusades were just a massive butchering of people regardless, of caste, creed or race."
This paper discusses police brutality: The Rodney King incident, excessive force, civilian complaints, statistics, shootings, legal issues and the social impact.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 1991, $ 63.95
From the Paper "Police brutality has long been a topic of concern in American society. The police face a difficult and dangerous job in maintaining law and order on the streets. From time to time, deadly force is necessary in order to carry out that job. Nevertheless, most people agree that the use of deadly force must be controlled. Usually, an officer is expected to practice restraint so that the use of force is appropriate rather than excessive. The problems of excessive force made the national news on March 3, 1991, when a group of Los Angeles police were videotaped while beating a suspect. The suspect, Rodney King, was a black man who had given the police a high-speed chase before finally being stopped. Unbeknownst to the officers, a citizen videotaped the incident from a nearby home. The tape showed some of the officers repeatedly kicking King and beating ... "
