Use of Force by Law Enforcement Officers

Use of Force by Law Enforcement Officers

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Introduction

In recent years there has been increased scrutiny in the use of force by law enforcement officers. The increased scrutiny results from a rise in high-profile cases in which police officers used unjustified force on individuals from minority groups. These incidences have highlighted various ethical issues within the country’s law enforcement system and revived talks around policing, force, and race. Law enforcement officers are required to uphold the ethical provisions they swore to abide by. As such, the use of excessive force is an ethical conflict that infringes on the rights of those affected and adversely affects the integrity of the police. People of color are unfairly affected by the country’s criminal justice system, which is evident through the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies when interacting with brown and black people.

Ethical Issue

Law enforcement is a component of the country’s criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies are tasked with law enforcement’s duty. Their duties range from deterring criminal acts, investigating criminal activities, responding to emergencies, and protecting the public, among others. Due to the risks associated with law enforcement, different law enforcement agencies create standardized guidelines that dictate the amount of force law enforcement officers can use on resisting subjects. In addition, these guidelines also provide clear directives on how the said force can be used in different situations (Paoline, 2018). Despite the guidelines outlined, various fatal and non-fatal incidences have raised concerns on the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. In addition to the extreme use of force, the problem of racial bias in policing and how it ties into excessive use of force is also of concern. This concern is especially evident through the racial disparity of the victims of these incidences.

Excessive force by police officers is mostly witnessed in interactions between the police and black and brown people. There is substantial evidence that shows that African American people are at a greater risk of experiencing harm and death from interactions with police officers (Schwartz, 2020). Moreover, the risk of harm and death peaks during adulthood; hence , African Americans who interact with law enforcement have a higher chance of mortality when they become young adults (Edwards, 2019). In addition to causing harm and death, excessive force by police officers also results in the loss of trust between communities and law enforcement agencies hence compromising police authority.

Opinion

Various studies show that people of color have the least favorable interactions with police officers. Often, law enforcement officers racially profile people of color, leading to their arrest. During these arrests, police officers tend to use excessive force, a factor evident in cases such as the George Floyd murder. The bias and subsequent harm that people of color undergo result from the country’s historical past. Therefore, to avoid future cases of mortality and harm on people of color, this problem needs to be addressed. Moreover, law enforcement agencies must ensure the wellbeing of all members of society; hence addressing this problem will ensure that all people enjoy the protection and services of police officers.

Solution Proposal

American policing uses a force and control model that ensures compliance of suspects through threats and force. As a result, this policing method has given way to excessive use of force, further alienating the police from the communities they serve (Trinkner, 2019). In addition, this policing model has impacted public cooperation with the police as more people shun police authority. Therefore, to rectify this ethical problem, there is a need to introduce policies and laws that dictate new ways in which law enforcement officers ensure the compliance of suspects in a manner that protects both their lives and those of the suspects. Moreover, these new policies and laws should also promote policing accountability, hence legitimizing law enforcement authorities across communities in America.

The use of body cameras by law enforcement officers is an example of a change in policy that has helped deal with this ethical issue. The creation of the President’s Task Force in 2015 resulted in adopting body-worn camera technology. The cameras were introduced as a deterrent for undue use of force hence promoting transparency and accountability (Kim, 2019). Though the use of this technology has helped monitor police behavior, continued incidences of excessive use of force is proof that there is need for more policy reforms that change the policing culture currently in use. For instance, law enforcement agencies should introduce community response teams. These teams can increase collaborations between law enforcement officers and affected communities hence aiding police officers in fairly fulfilling their duties to all people regardless of their race.

Other policy changes that can help solve the issue of excessive force include the expansion of police training. The racial differences in the use of excessive and deadly force by law enforcement officers prove racial biases among police officers. Therefore, law enforcement agencies need to expand their police training to include bias and the appropriate use of force. Some of the biases that result in excessive use of force against African Americans is a false belief that black people are hyper masculine and more prone to committing crimes, posing a greater threat and danger than any other group in society (Kahn, 2020). Therefore, an expansion of police training will help officers become more aware of their prejudices, thus helping them refrain from treating people unjustly due to preconceived racial biases.

Also, law enforcement agencies should review existing guidelines for using force. As previously highlighted, police agencies employ force and threats to ensure compliance. Therefore, there is a need for law enforcement agencies to come up with harmonized and clearly defined guidelines for the use of force. Harmonized and clearly defined guidelines will ensure that police officers apply force based on situations. In addition, clearly defined guidelines will also ensure that law enforcement officers first use nonlethal force before turning to lethal force. This measure will reduce the number of unnecessary deaths associated with excessive use of deadly force and ensure law enforcement officers only use deadly force in justifiable situations.

Conclusion

All components of the country’s criminal justice system disproportionately affect people of color, and this is most evident through the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies. The rise in high-profile cases in which police officers used unjustified force on individuals is further proof that there is a need for policies that end the unjust use of excessive force by police officers and discourage the biases that police officers have long held against people of color. Moreover, addressing this ethical problem will help repair and improve the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the affected communities. Improved relations between the police and the affected communities are integral. It will improve cooperation and solidify police authority in society, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to fulfill their duties.

ReferencesEdwards, F., Lee, H., & Esposito, M. (2019). Risk of being killed by police use of force in the United States by age, race–ethnicity, and sex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(34), 16793-16798.

Kahn, K. B., & Martin, K. D. (2020). The social psychology of racially biased policing: Evidence-based policy responses. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7(2), 107-114.

Kim, T. (2019). Facilitating police reform: Body cameras, use of force, and law enforcement outcomes. Use of Force, and Law Enforcement Outcomes (October 23, 2019).

Paoline III, E. A., Gau, J. M., & Terrill, W. (2018). Race and the police use of force encounter in the United States. The British Journal of Criminology, 58(1), 54-74.

Schwartz, S. A. (2020). Police brutality and racism in America. Explore (New York, NY), 16(5), 280.

Trinkner, R., Kerrison, E. M., & Goff, P. A. (2019). The force of fear: Police stereotype threat, self-legitimacy, and support for excessive force. Law and human behavior, 43(5), 421.