When it comes to the topic of police reform, many agree that our country is long overdue for it, however the questions is how exactly do we, as a nation, go about changing one of the most rigid power structures that exist in the country. While some believe that reform must come from within the individually flawed police departments, others argue that the entire criminal justice system needs an overhaul. An analysis of Ta-Nehisi Coates essay “The Myth of Police Reform” reveals that the complex issues of police shootings of minors (especially African Americans) and how difficult it may be to change these problems. In “The Myth of Police Reform” the author exemplifies the use of logos, ethos and pathos therefore making the argument effective. …show more content…
One interrogates the actions of the officer in the moment trying to discern their mind-state. We ask ourselves, ‘were they justified in shooting?’ But, in this time of heightened concern around the policing, a more essential question might be, ‘were we justified in sending them?” (Paragraph 1). By adding these questions, he uses ethos to make the reader question the ethics of police shootings and whether the use of police force in certain situations is even necessary. This explains Coastes primary argument, that the problem in our criminal justice system is that we often send police who resort to deadly violence instead of sending someone who is more well equipped to defuse …show more content…
I believe that there is often a lack of accountability, as well as superiors to believe officers rather than those who may accuse officers of acting. “When Walter Scott fled from the North Charleston police, he was not merely fleeing Michael Thomas Slager, he was attempting to flee incarceration.” (Paragraph 2) While more training and body cameras may decrease the number of violent and deadly situations between police and suspects and they are not the solution to the problem. This flaw in the criminal justice system, Coastes argues, ultimately comes down to how often minors view police as a power, rather than an authority meant to protect. Many believe that our justice system is a fair one, based on the idea that one is innocent until proven guilty that all deserve a fair trial etc. However, why then do law enforcers often resort to deadly force with little hesitation? One reason is lack of responsibility, and lack of training but fixing that won’t completely reform the police state. They problem is in the way the criminal justice system exists often as a deadly force against those who commit crimes rather than as a force that attempts to help past or potential offender. “African Americans, for most of our history, have lived under the power of the criminal- justice system, not to authority.” (Paragraph
“...Much of the recent crime increase threatens the vitality of America’s cities–and thousands of lives–it is not, in itself, the greatest danger in today’s war on cops. The greatest danger lies, rather, in the delegitimation of law and order itself’ (Mac Donald). In the book “The War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe,” published in the year of 2016, author Heather Mac Donald provides credible evidence to expand on her viewpoint of our country’s current criminal crisis. In addition to “The War on Cops, Mac Donald has written two other books. Her works “Are Cops Racist?”
People have accused officers of shooting arbitrarily, or unjustifiably, and most frequently of exhibiting racism in such situations. These accusations have been supported by numerous empirical studies showing that police officers kill African-Americans at a disproportionately higher rate than whites (Tennenbaum,
The author expands his explanations with various sociological theories. Moreover, he discusses why the poor urban areas attract police officers to patrol them more often. The content of certain chapters is used in sociological and political explanations of police brutality. Holmes, M. D., & Smith, B. W. (2008). Race and police brutality: Roots of an urban dilemma.
He asserts that “Something happens to people in law enforcement...after years of police work, officers often can’t help but be influenced by the cynicism they feel.” He rationalizes but does not deny, the law enforcement’s aggressive actions that the people of color may have seen or experienced. This method of pathos not only diversifies but also fortifies his thesis that there is evidence of racial profiling; however, he once again give reason for their skepticism to execute his primary purpose. Overall, dedicating three of his four “hard truths” to justify the actions of the law enforcement is crucial to his argument as a whole because his audience may have portrayed them differently
This immunity makes it challenging to hold police officers accountable for their actions, even in cases where their use of force was unjustified. The result is that police officers are often able to use excessive force with impunity, perpetuating the normalization of police brutality. However, it is essential to acknowledge that not all police officers engage in police brutality, and many are committed to protecting and serving their communities. The problem lies in the systemic racism and lack of accountability within the criminal justice system, which allows police brutality to continue unchecked.
Will the police force ever be held accountable for their actions? This is a question that society, specifically African Americans have had for some time now. In “They Can’t Kill Us All” by Wesley Lowery this same question is asked. Lowery uses his leverage as a reporter to give insight into the sad reality of police violence. In Chapter 3, “North Charleston: Caught on Camera” Lowery explores the starling statistics of unreported killings and the brutal slaying of the late Walter Scott.
With 136 recorded unarmed deaths from 2015 to 2016, there is a need for reform within policing procedures (“Number of People…” 1). Further, Castille’s death gives rise in efforts to stop police brutality, such as the notable Black Lives Matter Movement. Sensing a biased attitude, minority groups perceive policing figures as untrustworthy and unreliable, demonstrating a decline in police accountability. However, police accountability in Castille’s case is disputable because traffic stops are known as the most dangerous part in policing, and the shooting may have been carried out for self-protection rather than personal satisfaction (“Police Brutality: Do…” 8). When discussing possibilities of reform based on the circumstance of the brutal act, there is an evolving debate of whether community involvement is effective in fulfilling a role towards regaining democratic order and public security, or if the police force should continue to take law enforcement matters into their own hands (Friedmann
The reasoning to my questions is that we always find excuses for police officers for their unjust actions. We all understand that a job of a police officer is very difficult and that they put their lives on the line to keep us safe. But there should be no excuse for them to make
The PBS film “Policing the Police” brings an insider view into the Newark Police Department. As denoted in the documentary, Newark is one of the most violent cities in America with crime rates nine times higher than New York City’s. The Department of Justice investigated multiple cities including Newark and found that reform was a necessity: 75 percent of the time the Newark Police Department stopped people without legal justification. This is evidenced in the film itself through Jelani Cobb’s experiences; many stops he witnesses are done so based on hunches and use excessive force rather than the cops having reasonable suspicion. In my opinion, the Newark PD as portrayed in this documentary desperately requires reform.
With cameras and video recording devices more easily accessible, documentation of these incidents has become more frequent. Racial profiling is not a new terminology, yet it is something that occurs daily in the United States, becoming almost a normality. Law enforcement is meant to create a sense of security and safety, yet there seems to be a growing mistrust and anti-cop mentality, especially among minorities. Cases such as the infamous Rodney King scandal, or the most recent murder of Michael Brown, only give communities further reason to be wary of police. With numerous incidents of police misconduct and use of excessive force that results in the death of an innocent victim, you can no longer ignore this
How would one feel if he were discriminated against only because the context in which he was in makes it “reasonable” to do so? Some may say that our lives revolve around our own judgements and therefore it is necessary to take every possible precaution to ensure our own safeties. However, such action would often result in preconceived opinion and discriminations against races. For this reason, “objectively reasonable fear” is not justified.
In his article “Opinion: Proposed police reforms come from all corners, cover broad range”, Ken Armstrong ulitizes rhetoric techniques of ethos and pathos to convey in the necessity of heighted police reform across its regulations, among America. Proposals, express the necessity for inevitable change among the regulation of the national police department, “have come from scholars...and the police themselves”, those who have experienced the flaws that derive from the lack of organization among the police force in America, as they live their daily lives (Armstrong, 2016, paragraph 3). This sense of credibility that Armstrong conveys that fueled his ideas of police reform among American society, emphasizes his use of ethos to portray the importance
[ Imagine this scenario: you are complying with the police that are screaming at you, guns pointed at you, screaming “please don 't shoot” and trying your best to do what the police are asking. Daniel Shaver was an unarmed man fatally shot for no good reason. He was complying with the police officers orders and was begging for his life, screaming “please don’t shoot,” before he was fatally shot 5 times. Unfortunately, this is just one example of police brutality, an instance when police use unnecessary force when either they are unarmed or are complying with orders. Today I want to tell you of the injustice of police brutality, the people it affects, and how just asking the right questions could make sure that police are punished for their crimes.
Police Brutality is an ongoing problem and existent concern in the United States and should be resolved immediately. Law enforcement must function as an element that consists of organized and civilized officers. The presence of police brutality is becoming more of an issue as society grows. The problem posed by the illegal exercise of police power is an ongoing reality for individuals of a disfavored race, class, or sexual orientation. Police brutality must be stopped so that police do not forget who they are serving – not themselves, but the public.
Recently, the death of a Chinese man who was shotted by French police has brought into focus the issue of guns. Though the French officers claimed that the man had attacked them with a pair of scissors and they had acted in self defense. Witnesses denied this. A large number of people hold firm against issuing guns to police officers because making firearms more accessible can promote violence, like the manslaughter mentioned above. While, others believe that carrying weapons openly by the police would deter hooligans from having their own weapons, and hence, reduce the level of crimes in the society.