Kerisha Goode
April 18, 2017
Argument to Create Exigence

We all understand and know that the world isn’t perfect yet we all strive to be the best can be. Sometimes being the best and doing the right thing is not always enough. In the case of many African Americans, “staying out of trouble”, particularly with the law, is only short of what they fear. Police Officers are among the top distinguishing most highly respected groups in society. They also have the authority to apply excessive force when circumstances call for it. However, many times in history and within the last few years many Americans have had unfortunate encounters with police Officers that should have not resulted in excessive force tactics.
Excessive force can include numerous of things: blows by hands, hits with a baton, chemical agents, and even the use of a deadly fire arm. Whichever the case may be, I think we all can agree that police Officers are expected to use those tactics only when necessary. When these methods aren’t being used properly we further divide the relationships between citizens, communities, and the police. By further dividing the relationships we are not only allowing the mistreatment of citizens by police but the mistreatment of our own neighbors.
There were over 170 cases within one year where the use of a fire arm was used in the City of Chicago. In one case, three Three officers chased a man and began shooting as they ran. In total, the officers fired 45 rounds, including 28 rifle rounds, toward him causing him to die. In another case, a CPD officer fatally shot a fleeing, unarmed suspect in the back. There was even a case that included video evidence which showed the tragic end of a foot pursuit of a man who was not a threat when an officer shot him in the back. The officer, fired 16 shots, killing the man. His family was later paid $4.1 million dollars by the City of Chicago (justice.gov, 26). In all cases described the alleged target was African American. In the Department of Justice’s extensive report revealed “a disproportionate amount of African Americans were targeted for traffic stops and other low level violations; the police relied too heavily on the use of force” (The United States Department of Justice, 2015). Having to turn our attention to the increasing number of African Americans targeted by police officers can be emotionally challenging until we realize that could be someone we know. It could be your friend, your father, or your brother. Just because its not happening in your community or to someone you know doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it the attention it needs. Police brutality is also gender neutral, meaning it can happen to both men and women, like in the case of Sandra Bland. Yet, according to a study men are more associated with violence than women because they’re perceived as a threat and women with innocence (Glick & Fiske, 1996).

Although many people will disagree, statics show that not much has changed within the last two decades. According to International Association of Chiefs of Police a total of 175,000 reported incidents took place between the years of 1995 and 2000. That’s approximately 35,000 reports per year. After the death of 18 year old Micheal Brown in Ferguson, MI on August 9, 2014 national protest and riots struck the nation demanding change in the criminal justice system. This was similar to the 1991 riot of Rodney King that resulted in a video of four white officers that beat him while others stood watching. Later all officers where charged then three were acquitted. During this time of rioting 53 people were killed, 2000 were injured, and a lost of $3.8 billion in property tax (Matheson & Baade, 2004). On March 4, 2015, “the Ferguson Police Department was criticized by the United States Department of Justice for ‘routinely violating the constitutional rights of its black residents’” (Chaney 268). This repeated findings of the unjust treatment of African Americans by law enforcement have became a phenomenon. In 2016, police Officers, here in the U.S managed to kill 316 African Americans. The year prior, they killed just above 345. Not to mention, 97% of all cases in 2015 did not result in any officers involved being charged with a crime (Police Violence Map). There has been a long term nationwide presence of police brutality and the abuse of power toward people of color. For centuries police Officers have shown blatant disregards for black life. However, let’s not mistake this a black or white issue, this is a law enforcement issue that must be addressed by all people.
There are many ways in which we can take active steps in preventing police brutality for all people. First, is follow the path of the Department of Justice, who launched a year long investigation in December 2015 on the Chicago Police Department. This investigation was initiated when citizens of Chicago caught hold of the release of a video showing a white police officer fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald. The McDonald incident was widely viewed as a tipping point (justice.gov, 1.). Within a year of the incident Chicago experienced a wave in shootings and homicides. By investigating major police departments that have extensive reports on police brutality can help build the bridge between communities and police. These investigations also help reconsider redesigning departmental policies that are used to regulate and manage police force. Other ways can include getting police involved with community organizations, non profits, faith based groups, and even forums. By listening, sharing, and providing feedback to the community Officers are expected to serve and protect can make a difference. Other departments can further follow the City of Chicago by not only acknowledging the need but creating a task force that specializes in police accountability (PATF). Lastly is the encouragement of the use of body cameras. Many citizens of this great nation have found that body cameras are a great use of evidence and an even better method of training on what to do and not do in a given situation.
The issue of police brutality affects everyone. Regardless of your ethnicity, your gender, or your age. It is happening, it has been happening , and it will continue to happen if we, as equally created men and women don’t come together as one nation and stand up for this countries morals and values.
Work Cited:
“Police Use of Force in America.” Probate and Trust Legislation (1991): n. pag. Theiacp.org. International Association of Chiefs of Police. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

“Investigation of the Chicago Police Department.” Justice.gov. Department of Justice, 13 Jan. 17. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Chaney, Cassandra, and Danielle Davis. “Introduction: “No Justice, No Peace”: Social Unrest in Ferguson.” The Western Journal of Black Studies 39 (n.d.): n. pag. World Cat, 4 Nov. 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2017.
Glick, P., & Fisk, S.T. (1996). The ambivalent sexism inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality an Social Psychology, 70, 491-512.
The United States Department of Justice (Wednesday, March 4, 2015). Attorney General Holder Delivers Update on Investigations in Ferguson, Missouri. Retrieved from:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-holder-delivers-update-investigations-ferguson-missouri

“Police Violence Map.” Mapping Police Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

Matheson,V.A.,&Baade,R.A.(2004).Raceandriots:AnoteontheeconomicimpactoftheRodneyKingriots.UrbanStudies (Routledge), 41(13), 2691-2696. doi:10.1080/0042098042000294628