In my opinion, the greatest ethical challenge currently facing our nation is police brutality. According to the Law Dictionary, “Police brutality is the use of excessive and/or unnecessary force by police when dealing with civilians. “ America has had a long history of police brutality dating as far back as the late 1800s. This is a ruthless act that goes on in our society that is very serious and life-threatening. It is an atrocity that is jeopardizing the civil rights of us American citizens. Police officers have more powers than the average citizen. They have the power to arrest, seize property, and use deadly force. Many officers have abused these powers. In most of these cases, when prosecuted, an officer may only get suspended or receive probation, which is a minor punishment for such an unjustifiable crime. Police officers have gone above the law and have been abusing their powers.
The most obvious form of police brutality is a physical form. Police officers can use nerve gas, batons, pepper spray, and guns in order to physically intimidate or even intentionally hurt civilians. Police brutality can also take the form of false arrests, verbal abuse, psychological intimidation, sexual abuse, police corruption, racial profiling, political repression and the improper use of tasers. All of these forms are diminishing to us as humans. This is not the way the law should work, and it is not how justice is served. There have been many publicized cases of police brutality in the recent years, and most have led to riots and the boycott of police force. This divides citizens from the law without a common ground. As a generation, we have been taught to fight for what we believe in. We believe in our rights, and in a proper justice system. Crimes like these should not go unpunished.
Much of the fear surrounding police brutality is created by videos posted on social media sites taken by bystanders on personal camera phones. These videos can go viral within minutes. Instead of feeling protected by police officers, people’s opinions are quickly changed after seeing someone innocent wrongfully arrested, abused, beaten or tased by an officer using excessive force.
As a generation, we need to report cases of police brutality but in a manner that will give victims justice. Provoking officers is not always what causes our officers to use excessive force, but it is one of the reasons that they do. Having respect for our police system is essential to the minimization of police brutality across America. Also, making sure that officers are aware that they are not, and cannot act like, they above the law by punishing them for their unjustified acts would definitely be a step in the right direction.
