Introduction
Police brutality is the use of excessive and unwarranted physical force, abuse of authority, or other forms of misconduct by police officers in performing their duties. According to a study conducted by the National Police Misconduct Reporting Project, in 2019, there were 4,861 reports of police misconduct in the United States, of which 2,895 were accounts of physical abuse (Know the Law, n.d.).
The police play an essential part in society. Citizens are to be protected by law enforcement personnel. Police often watch for residents and work to ensure their pleasure and safety. Nonetheless, more issues have been with racism, violence, and internal corruption recently.
In the modern era, police have been accused of acting improperly. Others contend that while the police in most of the world are only carrying out their duties to preserve law and order, the media exaggerate recognized problems to misrepresent the difficulties law enforcement faces. Some academics, however, contend that insufficient training and outdated procedures in law enforcement are responsible for police wrongdoing. Thus, the paper aims to discuss how police brutality impacts the population, social justice issues, and policies.
Impacted Population
The population most impacted by police brutality is disproportionately black, indigenous, and people of color. Compared to white individuals, black people have a 3.23 times greater chance of being murdered by police (Black people are more than three times as likely as white people to be killed, 2020). Additionally, police kill Native Americans at a rate of more than twice the national average, and Latinx people are 1.4 times more likely to be killed by police.
Nowadays, most people around the globe are concerned about police brutality. The majority of victims of police violence are often unarmed, which is one of its realities. Few of the victims often have a firearm, and the bulk of those slain by police are frequently unarmed.
Moreover, racial profiling is a frequent instance of police violence, particularly in white nations. Black people, for example, often die from police in America because of suspicion and alleged threats. In these situations, police are likely to use language that they feel is necessary to justify their conduct.
Social Justice Issue
Police violence also has serious repercussions. Police brutality can affect a victim’s emotions and senses while depriving them of sleep and other necessities. Although the ramifications of mental and emotional torture are not always immediate and obvious, they can have severe and long-lasting impacts.
Also, becoming a victim of the brutality of law enforcement officials may result in shame and worthlessness that may eventually lead to seclusion and psychological counseling. A law enforcement officer is also greatly impacted by police brutality. In most circumstances, an agency will likely remove the officer’s pistol and switch the officer’s focus from outside work to desk work. An officer’s career may be in danger in several situations.
Police brutality is a critical social justice issue that should be of utmost concern to social work professionals. It is a violation of civil and human rights that disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable populations, perpetuates structural racism and systemic oppression, and undermines public trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Police brutality is largely tolerated by law enforcement, contributing to its rise in frequency.
Policies Overview
Federal Policy
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (H.R. 3355).
Policy Level: Federal
Policy Description: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 was a federal law that provided additional funding for states to increase their police forces and expand their criminal justice systems (H.R.3355 – Violent Crime Control, n.d.). It also included provisions for increased penalties for certain crimes, increased use of the death penalty, and the establishment of “three-strikes” laws.
Author(s)/Sponsors: Sponsored by President Bill Clinton and sponsored by Senator Joe Biden
Key Dates Associated with the Policy: Signed into law on September 13, 1994
Social Program: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 established the “COPS Program,” which grants state and local law enforcement agencies the ability to hire and equip new police officers (H.R.3355—Violent Crime Control, n.d.). Since its inception, this program has resulted in the hiring of over 100,000 new police officers across the country (H.R.3355—Violent Crime Control, n.d.).
State Policy
Kentucky Senate Bill 4: Police Reform and Racial Justice
Policy Level: State
Policy Description: This Senate Bill was passed in June 2020 and aims to reform police practices in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (S.3985 – A bill to improve and reform policing practices, n.d.). It seeks to increase transparency and accountability within police departments, reduce police violence, and promote racial justice. The bill outlines several measures, including a ban on chokeholds, a requirement for officers to intervene when witnessing excessive force, and a requirement for de-escalation training.
Author(s)/Sponsors: Sponsored by Senator Reggie Thomas, Senator Gerald Neal, and Senator David Yates
Key Dates: This bill was passed on June 11, 2020.
Social Program: The Commonwealth of Kentucky has implemented several social programs to address police brutality and promote racial justice. These include a statewide data collection system to monitor police use of force, a statewide task force to review police policies and procedures, and the establishment of a Kentucky Racial Justice Commission to promote racial equity. The Kentucky Department of Justice has also launched a statewide public awareness campaign to educate the public on police reform and racial justice issues.
Local Policy
Use of Force Policy – Louisville Metro Police Department
Policy Level: Local
Policy Description: This policy was developed by the Louisville Metro Police Department and outlines the appropriate use of force, including firearms, chemical weapons, and physical force. It guides officers on when and how to use force and establishes restrictions on its use (Shield, n.d.).
Author(s)/Sponsors: Louisville Metro Police Department
Key Dates: This policy was adopted in October 2019.
Social Program: The Louisville Metro Police Department has implemented several social programs aimed at reducing police brutality and improving police-community relations. These programs include a Citizen Advisory Panel, which provides community input on implementing the Use of Force Policy, and the Community Safety Task Force, strengthening relationships between the police and the community (Shield, n.d.). Additionally, the department has initiated several initiatives focused on building trust and accountability, such as the establishment of a Citizen Review Board, the implementation of body-worn cameras, and the institution of a police-community dialogue program.
Conclusion
Police brutality is the use of excessive or unnecessary physical force, abuse of power, or other types of wrongdoing by officers while carrying out their responsibilities. People of color comprise most of the population affected by police violence. Police brutality is a serious social justice problem that disproportionately impacts vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, supports institutional racism and systematic oppression, and erodes public trust in the police and the criminal justice system. A law enforcement officer’s career and the victim’s emotions and senses may be severely and permanently affected. It is more common since law enforcement generally tolerates it.
References
Black people more than three times as likely as white people to be killed during a police encounter. (2020). Harvard T.H. Chan. Web.
H.R.3355—Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. (n.d.). Congress.Gov. Web.
Know the Law. Together, we can stop police brutality. (n.d.). Stop Police Brutality Now. Web.
S.3985—A bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency. (n.d.). Congress.Gov. Web.
Shield, E. (n.d.). Louisville metro police department: Standard operating procedures. Louisville metro police department. Web.