Introduction
Proper policing strategies and behaviors facilitate the safety and sanity existing in many societies. The statement implies that in a society where there is fairness in the policing services the progress is an inevitable occurrence. Racism has been a controversial issue which has affected the effectiveness of the policing system in the nation. Besides, there have been numerous complaints of individuals complaining unfairness in the mode of delivery of their policing services. Most of the black people in the United States have complained that they have faced a lot of injustice in the hands of police agencies. Therefore, this essay carries out an exhaustive assessment of the controversial policing aspect, how it affects policing services and the interventions that can be sought to address the issue.
Summary of Policy Issues
There have been increased cases of police brutality which have been reported over the past years even though there have been increased amendments in the sector (Alang, McAlpine, McCreedy & Hardeman, 2017). There are various forms of police brutality including the unjustified use of physical force which in most cases leads to the death of the minorities. On the other hand, brutalism can be described as the verbal and emotional abuse which is subjected to the individual of a different race aimed at dehumanizing them. Moreover, individuals from minority groups may not receive the same treatment when it comes to the application of justice. Therefore, it is appropriate for the community and the law enforcers to have in place a framework which can be used to explain such issues. In essence, understanding the causes of the racial discrimination in policing vital as it helps to come up with strategies which can help to address the problems. Notably, the issues discussed can be assessed and a different framework set in place which ensures that futures cases of brutality are provided earnest consideration which they deserve.
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Evaluation and Arguments
Racism has been an issue which has been linked with poor policing, and this has worked to affect community-based policing. This is evidenced by the fact that there is a wave of hostility which has been nurtured with the structural form of racism found in the law enforcement entities. For instance, cases proactive policing such as the stop and search power in the minority areas can be observed as something with has led to the rift between the diverse groups of people in the community. For the black individuals, this is a humiliating experience which leaves most of them traumatized and more distance from the policing departments. Consequently, this showcases that the inclusion of racism tends to affect the functioning of the homeland security organizations. According to Chaney and Robertson (2013), racism is an element which has facilitated the proactive policing strategy, and this works to compromise the overall status of community policing. In line with this, it is prudent to have in place adequate measures that can help to eradicate such aspects.
The increased involvement of racism has worked to enhance a negative attitude towards the police. Hutto argues that there is a negative perception which is created with the few cases of negative policing (Hutto & Green, 2016). Most of the individuals in the black neighborhoods feel that the actions of the police are not fair and thus, this is the reason they fail to communicate with the police. As a result, there is a lag in the intelligence-led policing, and this helps to increase the rift between the particular groups. Moreover, there have been cases of unfair treatment of the police, and this does not resonate well with individuals from the marginalized areas. Additionally, children are brought up with the notion that the cops are not friendly and that they should always strive to counter their efforts in such neighborhoods. Notably, racism is a factor which works to change the attitude of the masses towards the security agencies. It is therefore advisable to have in place concrete measures which ensure that a cordial relationship is nurtured between the two groups which can work to enhance intelligence-based policing.
The overall police response to cases from the minority backgrounds is also a factor which affects effective problem-solving policing. In a rational society, the response should be unbiased and should cut across all the individuals in the society. Cooper notes that it is essential for the law enforcers to ensure they are in a position to provide assistance which is unbiased and the response should benefit the individuals in need (Cooper, 2015). Essentially, statistics point out that victims in a violent incident in the minority geographical area are usually unsatisfied with the services which they are offered. Primarily without a sound support framework, the minorities feel left out, and this is one of the factors which hinder the efforts by the minority groups. Therefore, the acts by the security authorities are fundamental in dictating the perceptions of the minorities towards the services of the authorities. Moreover, there are also complaints on the response time something which has been linked to racial profiling. Different authors share the notion that a particular race gets special attention when it comes to solving issues which affect them (Cooper, 2015; Hutto & Green, 2016). In general, the behavioral aspect reflecting on the response of the security agencies is critical and is usually enhanced by the racial orientation.
Worden shares notions about the arrest and the decision to charge something which the minority groups feel they have been victims to such cases as a result of their race. The common understanding is that the superior race is above the law and that they are usually less affected with the concept of arresting and charging them. On the other hand, the minorities feel like their fate is usually influenced by their race (Worden, 2015). The statement implies that the persons in the perceived superior race are informed of their offense before they get arrested. On the contrary, the person in the minority race by a more significant percentage is arrested as a result of the mandatory stop and search exercise. Notably, they are customarily treated as suspects even without being linked to a crime. On the other hand, the superior race faces a lighter situation with the decision to charge. This is because the law is sometimes favorable and thus they can be granted bail or fines then released. The contrary can be evidenced in the prosecution of persons in the minority groups. They are usually perceived as social risks and this result to them being incarcerated in most cases. Thus, the article reiterates the fact that the minorities face a lot of backlash and unfairness when it comes to community-oriented policing.
Even though there are various elements which affirm the aspect of police brutality based on racism, Matusiak, King and Maguire (2017) holds the contrary opinion on the factors which elevate police brutality. The authors further note that the concept of police brutality is not propagated by racism but instead the immediate environment and the persons whom the child relates with the society. For instance, the children have grown up knowing that police are the enemy, and they always have a vendetta against the minority in the society. Such a concept has been amplified through social media and the riot groups which are prevalent in the area. Such idea holds some element of truth, but the statistical analysis proves that the notion of police brutality is not an inborn perception but instead it is a fact which happens in most black communities and impedes the different policing strategies.
Consequently, the highlighted aspects are based on the racism and thus they aid in escalating police brutality. Thus, the community and the local authority has the mandate of ensuring they put in place adequate measures which can work to ensure that police brutality is solved eventuality.
Discussion
There are various aspects which can be set in place to ensure that racism as a factor promoting police brutality is addressed. Rogers notes that one of the fundamental steps that can help to address the issue is ensuring there are unbiased recruitment opportunities in the policing agencies (Rogers, 2015). The statement implies that the local government has to ensure it absorbed individuals from the minorities into the force. The step is significant because it ensures that they are in a position to preset the plight of the people in the area to the authorities and this will help them to scout for ways that can be applied to bring a connection between the community and the law enforcers.
Another intervention which can be sought to address the issue according to Hutto and Green (2016) is to push for equal opportunities with equality of service. Advocating for equal opportunities will ensure that the people from the minority groups feel part of the law enforcers. Equal opportunity means that black people should not be forced into random checks. Also, in the decision to charge, the law should apply to all the races, and thus, this will work towards ensuring there is a viable and robust justice system which guarantees the smooth welfare of its citizens. Besides, races should not be segregated and always treated as suspects, but instead, they should be treated as citizens of the United States of America.
Another aspect which should be considered is redress through civil litigation. The statement implies that the police officers linked with brutality should face the law individually. Over the years, most of the victims of police brutality have forgone the situation because there was no way that they could win a case against the enforcers of the law. Thus, by introducing such a scheme, it will be easy to address issues of brutality because the police will be fearful of the fact that they will be found guilty of their actions. Therefore, this is a smart step in policing as it will ensure there is a sense of respect between the community members and the police department.
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is evident that racism is a controversial issue which is linked to police brutality. Notably, there have been various elements which showcase that racism is a controversial aspect which negatively influences policing activities. It is, therefore, the mandate of the local government and the community leadership to reinforce the stated strategies which can ensure there is a cordial relationship built between the society and the police force. Also, there should be bonding events which are organized to facilitate the unity between the police and society. Essentially, it is fundamental to note that the media and social media platforms are some of the channels which have been used to amplify the different aspects of brutality. It is therefore advisable to have in place unique strategies which control the use of these channels. Despite the challenges, with increased vigor and determination the controversial aspect can be handed in the long run.
References
Alang, S., McAlpine, D., McCreedy, E., & Hardeman, R. (2017). Police brutality and black health: setting the agenda for public health scholars. American journal of public health , 107 (5), 662-665.
Chaney, C., & Robertson, R. V. (2013). Racism and police brutality in America. Journal of African American Studies , 17 (4), 480-505.
Cooper, H. L. (2015). War on drugs policing and police brutality. Substance use & misuse , 50 (8-9), 1188-1194.
Hutto, J. W., & Green, R. D. (2016). Social movements against racist police brutality and department of justice intervention in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Journal of Urban Health , 93 (1), 89-121.
Matusiak, M. C., King, W. R., & Maguire, E. R. (2017). How perceptions of the institutional environment shape organizational priorities: findings from a survey of police chiefs. Journal of crime and justice , 40 (1), 5-19.
Rogers, A. (2015). How police brutality harms mothers: Linking police violence to the reproductive justice movement. Hastings Race & Poverty LJ , 12 , 205.
Worden, R. E. (2015). The causes of police brutality: Theory and evidence on police use of force. Criminal justice theory: Explaining the nature and behavior of criminal justice , 149-204.
